Fort McMurray Minute: CAO Bylaws, Oil Output, and Local Air Passengers

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

This Week In Fort McMurray:

• On Tuesday, there will be a Council Meeting. The meeting begins with a closed session at 3:30 pm during which Councillors will discuss a labour relations matter and a land matter. When the meeting opens up to the public, at 6:00 pm, the agenda includes an application for Provincial Historic Resource Designation at the Fort of the Forks, along with several Councillors' Motions. Councillor Funky Banjoko will bring forward a motion to recognize the month of December as Christian Heritage Month in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. Councillor Bussieres will request that the City conduct a comparative analysis of Chief Administrative Officer Bylaws of comparable municipalities in Alberta focused on authority, accountability, and responsibilities. Councillor McGrath wants to strike a subcommittee for the purpose of renegotiating the Master Land Agreement between the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo and the Government of Alberta, and Mayor Bowman wants an update on the Municipality’s procurement policy, along with information on the percentage of funds spent on local businesses and local Indigenous businesses.
  
  
• The Homelessness Initiatives Strategic Committee will meet on Wednesday at 2:00 pm. The Committee will elect a Chair and Vice-Chair, have a safety orientation, and discuss Reaching Home - the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo’s Community Plan 2024 - 2028.
  
  
• Also on Wednesday, at 5:30 pm, there will be a meeting of the Regional Advisory Committee on Inclusion, Diversity and Equity. This Committee will also begin their meeting with the election of a Chair and Vice-Chair, before discussing the Committee’s Strategic Plan and next steps.

Last Week In Fort McMurray:

• The Fort McMurray International Airport has started working to boost local passenger traffic in 2025, aiming to convince residents to fly from the local airport rather than driving to Calgary or Edmonton. Despite 350,000 passengers passing through in 2024, the airport is struggling to recover to pre-pandemic levels, partly due to pilot shortages affecting regional flights. The airport is advocating for more direct flights to major cities, including Calgary, Toronto, and Vancouver, while also facing $148 million in long-term debt. In 2024, the airport earned recognition for its services and received funding from the Alberta government to help attract more flights. The FMAA is also focusing on developing the Aurora Landing area to attract new businesses.
  
  
• Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. (CNRL) said it plans to increase its oil and gas output by 12% in 2025, targeting an average production of 1.51 to 1.55 million barrels of oil equivalent per day. This growth is partly driven by its $6.5-billion acquisition of Chevron Canada’s interests in the Athabasca Oil Sands Project and Duvernay shale. CNRL's operating capital budget for 2025 is set at $6 billion, higher than the $5.42 billion forecasted for 2024. The company also plans to drill 361 oil and gas wells and is focused on boosting production at its Horizon oilsands site and the Athabasca Oil Sands Project.
  
  
• A fire broke out at two unoccupied student housing units at Keyano College. Regional Emergency Services responded quickly, preventing the fire from spreading to adjacent units. The fire caused damage to the affected unit and water and smoke damage to a nearby one. The cause of the fire is under investigation, but no injuries were reported. Keyano College said that students’ accommodations would continue without interruption, and the college is providing support to those affected.