Fort McMurray Minute: FireSmart Trail, Labour Dispute, and Evaluating Unused Assets

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

This Week In Fort McMurray:

• There are no meetings at City Hall this week, as Council is on summer vacation. It looks like meetings resume in September, but we’ll keep you posted if any pop up.
  
  
• Water main repairs on Silin Forest Road are scheduled for today and tomorrow. During these days, buildings in Thickwood, Wood Buffalo, and Dickensfield may experience lower water pressure.
  
  
• The FireSmart Interpretive Trail, designed to educate the public on wildfire prevention through FireSmart practices, is now officially open. The trail features interpretive signs, demonstration panels, and displays about boreal forest ecology, along with an observation deck offering views of Birchwood Trails. It also includes interactive elements for children. The Trail is located between Cornwall Drive and the Beaver Trail, inside the Birchwood Trails system. The project was funded by the Canadian Red Cross and the Government of Alberta.

Last Week In Fort McMurray:

• Council has tasked administration with evaluating unused or underutilized assets to consider for sale or demolition. This initiative, proposed by Councillor Lance Bussieres, was prompted by observations of vacant properties like the Gregoire fire hall and unused lots on MacIver and MacLeod Streets. The motion received unanimous support. The municipality, which has $6.45 billion in assets and a $732 million projected deficit over ten years, is also dealing with a $60 million maintenance backlog.
  
  
• The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 1505 has accused the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) of breaching the Alberta Labour Code during bargaining talks. This accusation follows the RMWB’s June admission that over $1 million in unauthorized bonuses were distributed to senior directors in 2021 and 2022. CUPE claims the union was misled about the Municipality's financial status and that these bonuses could have influenced bargaining decisions. The RMWB has not commented on the complaint, citing it as a legal matter, while it is also suing its former HR Director over the bonus issue.
  
  
• Doug Faulkner, a former Councillor and Mayor of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, has passed away at the age of 82. Faulkner, originally from Scotland and raised in Newfoundland, played a significant role in Fort McMurray’s growth during his tenure, which included advocating for infrastructure improvements and community services. He was first elected to Council in 1992 and was reelected in 1995. In 1997, he became the mayor, holding the position for approximately seven years until his defeat in 2004.