Fort McMurray Minute: Backyard Rinks, Provincial Funding, and Public Art Projects

Fort McMurray Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Fort McMurray politics

This Week In Fort McMurray:

• On Tuesday, at 4:00 pm, there will be a meeting of City Council, beginning with a closed session. When the meeting opens up to the public at 6:00 pm, Council will discuss whether or not to hold a byelection in Ward 4. There is a vacancy due to the death of Councillor Jane Stroud. Also on the agenda is a regulatory framework for homeowners to construct and operate temporary outdoor skating rinks on their property, or adjacent to it using municipal land. Council will also discuss replacing the ambulance that was totaled in an accident in August. The cost to replace it is $425,000, with an 18-month procurement time, and the City plans to use funds from the Capital Infrastructure Reserve and repay it once the insurance money is received.
  
  
• On Wednesday, at 2:00 pm, the Wood Buffalo Pro-Business Advisory Committee will meet. The agenda includes a Fall Recruitment Update for Boards and Committees as well as an update on Committee recommendations. Later in the day, at 5:30 pm, the Wood Buffalo Downtown Revitalization Advisory Committee will meet. The Committee will discuss a Downtown Revitalization Incentive Program Update and a Committee Recruitment Campaign, among other things. Also on Wednesday at 5:30 pm, the Public Art Committee will meet. There are several items on the agenda, including updates on the Wood Buffalo Mural Fest and the Bench Program. Public art projects for 2025 will also be discussed.
  
  
• The Advisory Committee on Aging will meet on Thursday at 1:00 pm. The Committee will review the 2024 Age-Friendly Annual Report Update. The report elaborates on progress made under the Age-Friendly Work Plan, particularly in enhancing accessibility. Finally, the Wood Buffalo Waterfront Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday at 5:30 pm. The Committee will receive an update on the Snye Point Park Project.

Last Week In Fort McMurray:

• It was announced that Keyano College's social work program will more than double its student capacity over the next three years due to a $10-million provincial grant. The program will expand from 25 to 55 seats as part of a broader initiative to improve mental health and psychology education across Alberta. The two-year diploma program prepares students for work in areas such as youth services, homelessness, and substance abuse.
  
  
• Councillor Kendrick Cardinal has been charged with impaired driving, exceeding the legal alcohol limit, and fleeing from a peace officer. His arrest occurred on August 30th, following a protest in Fort Chipewyan against the construction of a liquor store. Local leaders were expressing their concerns surrounding the community's addiction and mental health crises, and Cardinal is alleged to have arrived at the protest and yelled something about “freedom of choice” at the crowd.
  
  
• The Municipality has received $10 million in provincial funding through Alberta’s Drought and Flood Protection Program for a Water Supply Infrastructure Rehabilitation project in Fort McKay. The funding will be used for a new water intake and pumphouse on the Ells River, a new water supply line to the treatment plant, and upgraded connections to the storage pond.