Fort McMurray Minute: Issue 70

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

📅 This Week In Fort McMurray: 📅

• Zulkifl Mujahid, a former UCP candidate turned independent, has announced his candidacy for Mayor, challenging incumbent Sandy Bowman. Mujahid is promising a $1,200 annual payment to seniors and a residential property tax cut of up to 50%, claiming that oilsands revenue can fund these initiatives without affecting core services or municipal jobs. He was previously dismissed by Premier Danielle Smith as the UCP candidate in 2023 following a lawsuit and restraining order, both of which have since been dropped or paused. Since then, he’s remained politically active, leading protests and criticizing both local and provincial leadership. Mujahid says he’s running due to frustration with perceived corruption and backroom deals at City Hall, though he declined to name specific examples. He emphasizes a platform of local hiring, government accountability, and better collaboration with both provincial and federal leaders. Despite past tensions, he says he’s willing to work with Premier Smith and Prime Minister Carney for the good of Fort McMurray. Election Day is October 20th.
  
  
• A new provincial park, the Gipsy-Gordon Wildland Provincial Park, has been established southeast of Fort McMurray, preserving over 1,800 square kilometres of boreal forest. The park protects the habitat of 28 at-risk species, including 18 bird species, while remaining open to traditional land users such as hunters, trappers, and Indigenous communities. It absorbs the former Gipsy Lake Wildland Park and borders Saskatchewan, forming part of the Province’s broader conservation and land-use strategy. Alberta’s government says the park will protect wildlife, support Treaty rights, and offer new recreation and tourism opportunities. The region is also part of a long-term tourism plan aimed at turning Fort McMurray into a major destination for northern lights viewing and Indigenous cultural experiences by 2035. Industrial development, including new oilsands projects, will be banned within the park’s boundaries.
  
  
• Fort McMurray firefighters responded to two separate fires this week, both caused by improperly discarded cigarettes. Acting Fire Chief Rob Van Hecke described the incidents as “close calls,” with damage minimized thanks to quick responses, alert neighbours, and working smoke alarms. The first fire occurred just after midnight on July 19th at a mobile home on Jackpine Way, where the fire started in a plant pot. The second fire took place around 1:00 am on July 24th at an apartment on Powder Drive, where a cigarette butt discarded in a plastic container ignited a balcony fire. In both cases, flames were quickly extinguished before they spread. Regional Emergency Services is reminding the public that cigarette butts can smoulder for hours in potting soil and must be disposed of safely. They recommend using a proper ashtray or a sturdy metal container filled with sand or water. Careless smoking remains a serious fire hazard, especially in dry summer conditions.
  
  
• The Communities in Bloom committee is inviting residents, businesses, and community organizations to join this year’s “Grow a Row, Share a Row” initiative. The program encourages participants to grow lettuce at home and share their harvest with neighbours, family, or local support organizations such as the Wood Buffalo Food Bank. It’s a way to promote food sharing and community spirit while supporting those in need. Each donated bag of lettuce earns the donor one ballot entry for a chance to win a planter box prize package. To participate, individuals can pick up a starter pack of lettuce seeds, grow and harvest their crop, then fill and label a produce or freezer bag with their name and harvest date. A photo of the donation must be submitted online to qualify.
  
  
• Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario premiers signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at advancing pipeline development, boosting exports, and reducing interprovincial trade barriers. While not legally binding, the MOU signals a shared intent to prioritize infrastructure projects such as connecting Western oil and gas to Ontario refineries and creating a critical mineral supply chain. The document is more about setting priorities than laying out concrete plans, and significant hurdles remain, including private investment, regulatory approval, and the involvement of other provinces like Manitoba. The Premiers also called on the federal government to repeal laws that hinder development, such as Bill C-69 and the oil and gas emissions cap.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

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