The new Fort McMurray
The perception of Fort McMurray, Alta., as a work camp belies the reality of a young, vibrant and growing city.
Fort Mc Murray is the urban centre for the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo and the service base for nine rural communities that comprise the region, with a total population of more than 116,000 people.
Nestled in the northeastern corner of Alberta, bordered to the north by the Northwest Territories and to the east by Saskatchewan, Wood Buffalo is Canada’s second largest municipality by area, spanning more than 66,000 square kilometres, or 10% of the province.
The oil sands play a significant role in the prosperity and development of the region. As of December 2011, total oil sands investment in the region exceeded $117-billion, with an additional $200-billion expected by 2030, according to Alberta Finance and Enterprise. These investments help fuel economic diversification and secure wealth for all Canadians.
Melissa Blake, now in her fourth term as mayor of the Regional Municipality of Wood-Buffalo, shares her thoughts about a city that became her home more than 30 years ago and what the future holds for those who choose to join the community.
Q Fort McMurray is often described as a modernday “boom town” or “Fort McMoney”. Is this a fitting description?
A It’s easy to put those labels on this place as we’ve seen intense growth over the past decade, but rather than a boom we call it sustainable growth. The term “boom” implies there’ll be a time when we lose population, but we haven’t seen that since 1999 or 2000. As long as we see advancement in the industry we’ll see population trending up.
Q How does Fort McMurray differ from other communities across Canada?
A We have the northern boreal forest and we’re surrounded by bodies of water, so it is a pretty diverse landscape. And, while there’s northern isolation, we’re also vibrant and growing in terms of opportunities and needs. In these ways we’re unique compared to any other locations.
Q What is the importance of the oil sands industry to the region?
A Knowing the industry is a long-term enabler for a bolder future. We can take the opportunities that it presents and make decisions about growth and service in our community that are very different than they would have been 40 years ago – and we will be better for it 40 years from now.
Q What are the benefits of being so closely linked to one industry?
A From an economic perspective, it provides certainty for businesses and service companies who know the customer, meet their needs and benefit from the opportunities that arise. From a social perspective, those growing up here know what jobs are available for the future. They can determine what they want to become, be it an engineer, tradesperson or heavy-equipment operator. Whether you’re a child or teenager, you can choose whether or not you wish to meet the growing needs of the industry. Q And challenges? A The reliance created by being dependent on one industry. Diversity gives a community resilience from the cycles inherent in a single industry.
Q What other economic drivers are there in the region?
A Forestry is significant, but there are also spinoffs from the oil sands industry: Construction is booming, as is related employment, with new homes being built for those moving to the area; small business is also booming in response to the daily-life requirements of citizens.
Q The oil and gas industry has been prone to boom-andbust cycles in the past. How has this influenced regional and urban planning?
A Regrettably, when you have intensity but lack resources in terms of tax base, there are sacrifices that have to be made. This has made us less than well-prepared for the size of growth that we’ve experienced. We’ve been in catch-up mode for the entire growth period and we’re still trying to catch up. That’s why our development plan is a key document. It’s led to a swath of projects in Fort McMurray’s downtown, with recreation getting more attention. The revamp of the MacDonald Island Park Leisure Centre has been a game changer – it’s become a go-to hub for the community.
Q How do you envision development in the region, especially Fort McMurray, over the next decade or so?
A The pace of growth has been challenging. But lessons learned from the past have been well taken as we prepare municipal development plans. Urban subregions will see the most robust growth and this time around we’ll be better equipped to deal with it.
Q What might people not know about Wood Buffalo and Fort McMurray?
A There are likely a lot of inaccuracies and things people don’t know, for example:
❚ There is a great deal of diversity and multiculturalism in the community, which is wonderful.
❚ The average age is 32,
so we are still a young community.
❚ When we talk boom here, we talk about it in terms of births. In the past few years there have been about 100 babies born every month.
❚ People are often surprised by the generosity of the community: For the past seven years we’ve been the top contributor to the United Way national campaign. Per capita our community really gives.
Q What advice can you give to those considering a move to Fort McMurray?
A That’s easy — be prepared. Fort McMurray is an expensive place to get started in but you’ll reap the rewards over time and do better than you could in many other places. Be sure to start off on the right path – have a job to come to, a place to stay and a positive attitude about what you hope to achieve while you’re here. It’s also important to think of Fort McMurray as your home rather than just a means to an end. It’s a friendly place, and by engaging with the community you’ll be received very well.
Q What does it mean to be mayor of such an important region of the country?
A It’s absolutely incredible for me to be able to serve during the times we’ve had. My parents brought our family to Fort McMurray 30-plus years ago for the economy and opportunities. Now I see the prospects for my own family and as mayor have the opportunity to serve their future well.