Fort McMurray Minute: Issue 93

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

📅 This Week In Fort McMurray: 📅

• Happy New Year! As 2026 gets underway, Common Sense Fort McMurray is ready to make this the year that common sense takes center stage. Your support and engagement make it possible for us to push for smarter decisions, lower taxes, and greater accountability at Council. This year, we’ll continue speaking up for practical solutions that benefit all residents and ensure our leaders are focused on the priorities that matter most. Wishing you and your family a happy, healthy, and successful year ahead!
  
  
• On Thursday, at 1:00 pm, there will be a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Aging. The agenda includes appointing a Chair and Vice-Chair as well as reviewing the proposed meeting schedule for 2026. The Committee will also discuss the work of the Medical Travel Working Group and set priority areas for the coming year. Updates from the Seniors Resource Committee are scheduled, followed by an open roundtable discussion.
  
  
• The Salvation Army’s Christmas kettle campaign in Fort McMurray is significantly behind its fundraising goal, raising about $36,000 toward a $96,000 target. Local organizers say the shortfall reflects increasing financial pressure on residents and businesses due to rising living, housing, and food costs. While recent years narrowly missed targets, this year’s gap is being described as more severe and indicative of broader economic hardship in the community. Funds from the campaign support programs such as Christmas hampers, toys, emergency groceries, rent and utility assistance, and outreach for people experiencing homelessness. At the same time donations are lagging, demand for services is increasing, with more working families, seniors, and first-time users seeking help. 
  
  
• Traffic collisions in Fort McMurray rose by nearly 40% in December as unusually heavy snowfall created hazardous road conditions. RCMP reported more than 250 crashes during the month, up from about 180 in December of the previous year, ranging from minor damage to serious injury incidents. Snow accumulation was well above average, contributing to icy roads, reduced visibility, and longer stopping distances. Police say risky behaviours such as speeding, tailgating, and unsafe passing have increased the danger during winter driving conditions. Motorists are being urged to slow down, allow extra space between vehicles, and ensure snow and ice are fully cleared from their vehicles. With snow removal crews working continuously, drivers are also asked to watch for plows and emergency vehicles and avoid non-essential travel during heavy snowfall.
  
  
• Winter Maintenance Subzones 3 and 4 in Fort McMurray will be active from January 5th to 9th for snow removal, with on-street parking restrictions in place during scheduled maintenance days. Subzones 1 and 2 are expected to follow from January 12th to 16th. Snow removal involves hauling accumulated snow to disposal sites and takes longer than regular clearing, requiring vehicles to be moved to allow crews to work safely. Parking restrictions apply only on the designated maintenance day from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm within each subzone. Residents can stay informed through online tools, digital signage, and municipal updates.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

🪙 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!