Bylaw amendment to allow for Indigenous ceremonial practices approved by Cold Lake council

This amendment, identified as Bylaw No. 835-PL-24, came after requests from Indigenous groups to allow ceremonial practices that involve smoke in public facilities, which were previously prohibited under the existing Smoking Bylaw.

During the April 23 regular council meeting, Kristi Isert, General Manager of Corporate Services for the City of Cold Lake, explained the journey of this amendment from its inception to final approval.

“The amendment to the Smoking Bylaw was previously discussed at length at the Corporate Priorities Committee meeting on March 19, as well as the regular council meeting on April 9. The proposed amendment would create an exception under the bylaw which would permit smoking for Indigenous cultural practices including smudging and pipe ceremonies,” said Isert.

The bylaw initially aimed to regulate smoking in the City of Cold Lake, with strict prohibitions on smoking in or near parks, playgrounds, outdoor recreational facilities, and public buildings. Indigenous groups, however, made formal requests for an exception to the bylaw to permit smudging and pipe ceremonies within City facilities.

The amended bylaw creates a regulated exception for Indigenous ceremonial use of smoked products, aligning with Alberta’s provincial legislation, which already permits such practices. The Protection from Second-hand Smoke in Public Buildings Act, RSA 2000, c P-30, and the more recent Tobacco, Smoking and Vaping Reduction Act (SA 2005, c T-3.8), both have specific exclusions for traditional Aboriginal spiritual or cultural practices, including smudging and pipe ceremonies.

Bylaw No. 835-PL-24 allows for these Indigenous practices within City facilities, but with specific conditions to ensure safety. Prior authorization is required, with provisions for temporarily disabling smoke detectors and sprinkler systems, providing access to a fire extinguisher, and notifying other users of the facility.

The safety measures ensure that Indigenous ceremonial practices can occur without compromising the safety of other facility users.

Council gave second and third readings of the amended smoking bylaw on April 23.

Chantel Downes, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeland This Week