Council chambers, image via RMWB.ca
FORT McMURRAY — The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo is overhauling its advisory committee structure, creating four new committees while eliminating or consolidating others in an effort to improve efficiency and reduce overlapping mandates.
Municipal council approved a new Committees Bylaw based on recommendations from a 2025 committee review, which identified duplicated membership, complementary mandates and operational inefficiencies.
The changes will take effect Jan. 1, 2027, allowing existing committees to complete their current terms.
Among the changes is the creation of the Wood Buffalo Public Art and Beautification Advisory Committee, which combines the responsibilities of the Communities in Bloom Committee and the Public Art Committee.
Council also approved a new Wood Buffalo Business and Development Advisory Committee, merging the Wood Buffalo Development Advisory Committee with the Wood Buffalo Pro-Business Advisory Committee.
The Wood Buffalo Revitalization Advisory Committee will replace both the Wood Buffalo Waterfront Advisory Committee and the Wood Buffalo Downtown Revitalization Advisory Committee.
A new Animal Welfare Advisory Committee will also be established to provide council with advice on animal welfare issues, addressing what the municipality described as a gap in its committee structure.
Several existing committees will be removed.
The Community Standards Appeal Committee will no longer fall under the Committees Bylaw because it is governed by its own bylaw. The Wood Buffalo Transportation Advisory Committee and Vehicle for Hire Committee are being eliminated after remaining inactive for an extended period.
Council also approved amendments allowing the Advisory Committee on Aging and the Regional Advisory Committee on Inclusion, Diversity and Equity to remain as stand-alone committees.
The inclusion, diversity and equity committee will receive an expanded mandate focused on human rights, equity, inclusion and diversity issues affecting marginalized communities across the municipality. Membership will increase from nine to 11 members with the addition of one voting councillor and one public-at-large representative.
The Community Investment Program Approval Committee will also continue under a separate bylaw.
The Community Identification Committee, Homelessness Initiatives Strategic Committee and Municipal Policing Advisory Committee will remain unchanged.
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