Fort McMurray Mayor Calls for Economic Growth, Local Workforce, and Key Infrastructure in State of the Region Address
FORT MCMURRAY – Mayor Sandy Bowman delivered a strong message on Fort McMurray’s economic future, urging support for the region’s energy sector, pushing for major transportation projects, while also emphasizing reconciliation efforts with Indigenous communities. Speaking to a packed Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Wednesday, Bowman framed Fort McMurray as essential to both Canada’s prosperity and global energy security.
“Canada and the world need more Fort McMurray,” Bowman declared. “We have Canada’s most important and strategic resource right in our backyard. It’s needed now more than ever.” Amid concerns over U.S. tariffs and trade uncertainty, he expressed optimism about the possibility of a federal government that prioritizes Alberta’s energy sector.
A key focus of Bowman’s address was the need to transition more workers from fly-in-fly-out (FIFO) arrangements to becoming full-time residents. He pointed to a 12 per cent decrease in work camp populations since 2022 as a sign of progress. “If you work here, you should live here,” he said. “We need industry to thrive, but we also need our community to thrive. Our success is linked, and we must create win-win opportunities.”
Infrastructure was also a dominant theme, with Bowman reiterating his call for a secondary access road to Fort McMurray. He welcomed the provincial government’s commitment to expanding Highway 686 to connect the region with Grande Prairie, calling it an “economic game-changer” and a critical safety measure. “The wildfires last spring were another reminder of why this must be a priority,” he stressed. “A second route out of Fort McMurray is not a luxury—it’s a necessity.”
Bowman also highlighted reconciliation efforts, recognizing the importance of building stronger partnerships with Indigenous communities. He pointed to municipal support for the Athabasca Tribal Council Cultural Festival, advocacy for a federal inquiry into Moccasin Flats, and ongoing recognition of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S). “Reconciliation is about action,” Bowman said. “It’s about respect and honouring the original stewards of this land.”
The mayor concluded with a call for investment and growth, touting Fort McMurray’s economic strengths, including low taxes, high disposable incomes, and affordable housing compared to other parts of the country. He celebrated a recent $500 million investment from Wolf Midstream, which will create 300 jobs, and emphasized the success of a new natural resource tax incentive program. “This is just the beginning,” Bowman said. “We are setting the stage for more partnerships, more jobs, and more people calling this region home.”
With industry leaders, business owners, and Indigenous representatives in attendance, Bowman’s address underscored a vision for Fort McMurray that balances economic development, workforce retention, and community well-being. “Our greatest resource is not what’s in the ground—it’s the people on top of it,” he said. “This is our home, and together, we will build a stronger future.”
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