Fort McMurray Minute: Issue 94

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

📅 This Week In Fort McMurray: 📅

• On Tuesday, at 5:00 pm, there will be a Council meeting. Council is being asked to support the southern alignment for Highway 686, connecting the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo to Highway 63 via the Parsons Creek Interchange. This route has been preferred since community and industrial engagement in 2025, and it makes use of prior infrastructure investments. Supporting the southern alignment would improve emergency access for about 80,000 residents, promote fiscally prudent development, and support ongoing economic growth in the region. Administration recommends sending a letter of support to United Northern Development Limited Partnership, which could be included in their recommendation to the Government of Alberta. No new municipal funding is required, as Highway 686 is a provincial roadway.
  
  
• Council Kendrick Cardinal will bring forward a motion to explore improved transportation options for Fort Chipewyan and Fort McKay. The motion notes that Fort Chipewyan currently lacks local transit services, and travel options between Fort McKay and Fort McMurray are limited. The motion directs Administration to investigate the establishment of a community transit service in Fort Chipewyan and shuttle services between Fort McKay and Fort McMurray. Findings and recommendations would to be presented to Council by March 31st, 2026.
  
  
• Councillor Don Scott will also bring forward a motion, this one aiming to improve efficiency in municipal planning and development processes. The proposal directs Administration to implement a standardized checklist system for applications within six months, clearly outlining requirements for applicants. It also establishes that applications not responded to within 30 days would be automatically approved, while allowing for shorter timelines where feasible. Administration is tasked with identifying steps to accelerate approvals and removing administrative barriers that slow processing. 
  
  
• Wood Buffalo RCMP are entering 2026 with cautious optimism after reporting a notable drop in overall crime across the region. While homicides increased to four in 2025, police say both violent and property-related crimes declined compared to the previous year. Crimes against people fell by 5%, while property crimes dropped by 21%, including sharp reductions in thefts, break-ins, and vehicle theft. Chief Superintendent Mark Hancock credits targeted enforcement against repeat offenders, expanded downtown patrols, and improved intelligence-led policing. Mental health partnerships have also played a growing role, with joint police-health teams responding to hundreds of calls while minimizing the use of force. The detachment continues to invest in new technology, including drones, to improve public safety and efficiency. Community consultation is expected to help guide priorities in the year ahead, with a focus on maintaining trust and building on approaches that appear to be working.
  
  
• Speaking of cautious optimism, the CEO of Fort McMurray International Airport, Denean Robinson, is cautiously optimistic about passenger growth in 2026, despite a modest decline in traffic last year. She claims passenger numbers dipped in 2025 due largely to airline scheduling changes, weather-related cancellations, and industry pressures facing regional airports. The airport is also seeing continued “leakage,” with many travellers driving to larger hubs instead of flying locally. Economic pressures and reduced Canada-US travel have further impacted demand. Still, there are bright spots. Air Canada launched a direct Vancouver route, and Porter Airlines plans to introduce service to Ottawa this spring, improving national and international connections. The airport authority continues working with airlines to demonstrate demand and promote local travel, while the Province reviews regional air service.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

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