Fort McMurray Minute: Issue 67

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

📅 This Week In Fort McMurray: 📅

• On Tuesday, at 6:00 pm, there will be a City Council meeting. On the agenda are several Councillors’ Motions. Councillor Cardinal will propose to dissolve the Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo Economic Development and Tourism Corporation. The proposal directs the City to use the Municipality’s membership rights to formally instruct the Board of Directors to begin the wind-down process. Councillor Cardinal will also propose to launch a feasibility study for a large commemorative statue in Fort Chipewyan. The proposed statue, between 40 and 50 feet tall according to the motion, would be placed on Monument Hill to honour the community’s rich history and cultural heritage. Councillor Cardinal would also like to explore the creation of a Winter Road Advisory Committee and will bring forward a motion on the issue.
  
  
• Councillor Wigle will also bring forward a motion, this one requesting that Administration provide updated recommendations on Council remuneration. The proposal includes exploring per diems for Councillors who attend Council and Council-appointed Committee meetings. Councillor Wigle has a second motion as well - this one to create a revitalization program for the neighbourhoods of Waterways, Beacon Hill, and Gregoire. The program would be modelled after the existing Downtown Revitalization Incentive Program (DRIP). The goal is to encourage redevelopment and investment in these areas, which may be in need of economic or structural renewal. Administration would be tasked with developing the program details and reporting back to Council by September.
  
  
• Also at Tuesday’s meeting, Council will review next steps for the Waterfront Revitalization Program. Administration is recommending $4 million be approved to fund detailed design and construction for Reach 3, the stretch between Hardin Street and Borealis Park. The plan aims to build on the work already done at Snye Point Park and connect more of the waterfront for public use. Improvements include better landscaping, drainage, new trails, and surface amenities to make the area more welcoming now, while laying groundwork for future enhancements. Council will also decide whether to explore better access to Borealis Park from Clearwater Drive.
  
  
• Councillor Funky Banjoko is seeking reelection for Ward 1. She expressed her commitment to continuing the work started during her current term, including motions addressing poverty, special needs, and the twinning of Highway 63 to improve evacuation routes. Banjoko highlighted her efforts to reinstate a residency program for student doctors and improve public transportation and childcare services in the region. She also emphasized the importance of localizing jobs to reduce reliance on camp work and short-term positions. Reflecting on the current Council, Banjoko acknowledged challenges but praised the collective dedication and intentions of her colleagues. She promised voters a holistic, fiscally responsible approach and committed to being a responsive, accountable leader who listens and advocates for the community.
  
  
• Fort McMurray’s Shell Place has a new name - SMS Equipment Place - as SMS Equipment takes over naming rights for the venue at MacDonald Island Park. The venue’s operations remain unchanged and it will still host concerts, conferences, sports, and community events. SMS Equipment’s president Robin Heard says the sponsorship reflects the company’s long-standing support for the region. Part of the new funding will support the WB Kids Program, helping local youth access sports and recreation. The Regional Recreation Corporation’s CEO Graig Walsh called the agreement a sign of SMS Equipment’s lasting commitment to the community. Shell’s exit closes the final chapter of its local presence after selling off oilsands assets in 2017 and swapping its last stake in the Albian site earlier this year.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

Recent changes to Alberta’s municipal elections now require all voters to register before casting their ballots. 

The next municipal election takes place on October 20th, and you can register in advance by August 15th using the online voter registration system. 

(If you miss this deadline, you can still register and vote in person on election day.)

Click here to register now:

🪙 This Week’s Sponsor: 🪙

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