Fort McMurray Minute: Issue 64

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 closed Council meeting. Away from the public eye, Council will discuss the forensic audit of the Wood Buffalo Economic Development Corporation, a litigation update, and a legal matter. The meeting will also cover a municipal procurement strategy, labour costing, and a draft Chief Administrative Officer bylaw.
  
  
• The Regional Advisory Committee on Inclusion, Diversity and Equity will meet on Wednesday at 5:30 pm. Wood Buffalo Pride, a volunteer-run organization, will provide a presentation. The organization notes that it has expanded its staff and programming to support the 2SLGBTQ+ community, including gender-affirming resources and outreach. Their presentation claims that hate crimes against the 2SLGBTQ+ community have risen sharply - by 388% since 2016. In response, Wood Buffalo Pride is proposing a comprehensive needs assessment, led by a consultant, to better understand community needs and gaps in services, especially in rural areas. The organization is requesting $26,000 from the municipality to fund this study.
  
  
• The planned expansion of École Boréale, a Francophone K-12 school, is facing opposition from residents of the Abasand neighbourhood, who are concerned about construction disruption, loss of green space, and increased traffic. Although the school board, Conseil scolaire Centre-Nord (CSCN), acknowledges these concerns, any move from Abasand to a different site requires approval from the Alberta government and may need financial and logistical support from the Municipality. Abasand was initially chosen because it is a shovel-ready site, meaning it has the necessary infrastructure for school construction, while alternatives like Abraham’s Land require significant development costs. Moving to a new location could delay the project by nearly a year or more, risking the loss of federal funding. Other possible sites, such as Parsons Creek and Stone Creek, face ownership or grading challenges.
  
  
• Home Depot has started work on an 80,000-square-foot store on Quarry Ridge Drive, aiming to open in spring 2026 as Canada’s northernmost location and Alberta’s twenty-eighth. The big-box outlet will include a garden centre, tool-rental area, specialty showrooms, and an online order pickup zone, bringing about 150 jobs to Fort McMurray. Company president Vinod Nalajala said the move shows faith in the region’s long-term growth across forestry, construction, and oil and gas, while Mayor Sandy Bowman called the project a welcome boost for families and businesses alike. The retailer also gave a $10,000 grant to Wood Homes through The Home Depot Canada Foundation and plans future Orange Door Project fundraisers.
  
  
• Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo is in the throes of a forest tent caterpillar outbreak, with roads, decks, and aspen stands crawling with the 5-centimetre insects. Entomologist Dr Maya Evanden says such surges occur about once a decade and typically last two to five years, stripping trees bare but rarely causing permanent harm. Most aspens will re-leaf later this summer unless already weakened, and the caterpillars’ droppings actually enrich the forest floor. The blue-banded larvae will soon spin cocoons and become non-feeding moths, ending the feeding frenzy by early July. Residents worried about yard damage can spray a natural Bacillus thuringiensis pesticide, remove egg bands in autumn, or power-wash larvae before they pupate. Evanden notes the insects are “tiny recyclers,” providing food for birds and wasps while recycling nutrients. Until the moths emerge, locals should expect squishy sidewalks and temporarily leafless trees.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

The Municipality is conducting a feasibility study on a potential aging-in-place facility next to the Willow Square Continuing Care Centre and wants your input.

Take the survey that best reflects your experience - options are available for seniors, caregivers, and all residents - before June 24th.

🪙 This Week’s Sponsor: 🪙

This week's sponsor is you! We don't have big corporate backers, so if you like what you're reading, please consider making a donation or signing up as a monthly member.

Having said that, if you are a local business and are interested in being a sponsor, send us an email and we'll talk!