Growing pains
Fort McMurray council scuttles land deal in game of ‘political chicken.’
Alberta Infrastructure Minister Wayne Drysdale is frustrated after Fort McMurray politicians rejected a land rezoning that would have paved the way for a housing project for 40,000 residents.
Scuttling an agreement negotiated earlier this year, councillors in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo refused Thursday to back the change that would have triggered the transfer of 180 hectares of provincially owned land for a development at Parsons Creek.
The estimated value of the tract is $131.8 million.
“It is really unfortunate and very disappointing to me,” Drysdale said. “I think it was a really great deal and it would have been great for Fort McMurray.
“It is frustrating to see officials who were elected to serve the best interests of the community act in such a reckless and counterproductive manner. I am not sure they understand what they have done.”
Mayor Melissa Blake, who supported the land-use amendment, hopes to reopen discussion with council members before the deadline for the deal expires June 30.
“Knowing the needs we have in the community for affordable housing, the decision by council does not sit well with me,” she said. “It has been the top priority on every council I have ever served on. I am a little mad today to say the least.”
Allan Vinni urged fellow councillors to vote against the rezoning to send a message to the province, which council perceives as having been slow in the past to release land critical to the municipality’s needs.
“I am ready for a showdown with government,” Vinni said.
“We don’t have any bloody land, and that is a reality imposed on us by a province that is not treating us in the same way every other municipality, city, hamlet and town in this country gets treated.
“It is a game of political chicken and they don’t think we have the guts to call them on it.
“We have to grow a really big set and step up to the province and say, ‘This is what’s broken and this is what you have to fix.’
This is too important for everybody in this town.”
Council voted 4-3 against the rezoning, angering the mayor, who abruptly pounded her gavel and disbanded the meeting.
“Instead of sticking it to the province, what we really do by not supporting the land amendment is stick it to our community ourselves right now,” she told council. “I have a strong belief we are going to need the land.”
Drysdale said he will discuss the issue with cabinet on Monday, and then contact the mayor.
“We will see what our next steps are, ”he said. “I wouldn’t want to guess right now.”