Formation of an Economic Development Corporation

Jamie Doyle, Director, Planning and Development, spoke to the report before Council on the proposed Economic Development Corporation.

Public Speakers:

Jonathan Lambert, Chair, Fort McMurray Tourism, spoke in support of the proposed Economic Development Corporation.

JK Tiramula, Fort McMurray Hotels and Lodgings Association, spoke in general support of the proposed Economic Development Corporation.

Jean-Marc Guillamot, Director, Fort McMurray Tourism, spoke in support of the concept of the proposed Economic Development Corporation.

RJ Steenstra, President and CEO, Fort McMurray Airport Authority, spoke in support of the proposed Economic Development Corporation, stating that it can only help the Airport and will support the region as a whole.

Wes Holodniuk, Wood Buffalo Urban Development Institute, spoke in support of the proposed Economic Development Corporation.

Arriana Johnson, Executive Director of Wood Buffalo Food Bank Association, spoke in support of the Economic Development Corporation.

Exit and Return

Councillor K. McGrath exited the meeting at 7:05 p.m. and reentered at 7:17 p.m.

Marty Giles, local business owner, support in support of the proposed Economic Development Corporation but questioned the necessity of an $8 million budget allocation.

Bryce Kumka, President, Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce, thanked Council for bringing this iniative forward and spoke in general support of the proposed Economic Development Corporation

The following amending motion was put on the floor:

THAT the main motion be amended by adding the words 'up to' before 'the $8,000,000 budget allocation', adding the words 'an approved budget of Council' after 'subject to', and removing 'any terms and conditions which may be imposed at the discretion of the Chief Administrative Officer.''

Recess:

The meeting recessed at 7:46 p.m. and reconvened at 7:59 p.m.

A further amendment was then put on the floor as follows:

THAT the main motion be further amended by reinserting the words 'and subject to any terms and conditions which may be imposed at the discretion of the Chief Administrative Officer' after 'subject to an approved budget by Council.'

Voting then took place on the original motion as amended which now reads:

That the Chief Administrative Officer be directed to take all steps necessary to incorporate the Wood Buffalo Economic Development Corporation; and

That upon Council’s appointment of the first Board of Directors for the Wood Buffalo Economic Development Corporation, Administration is directed to transfer up to the $8,000,000 budget allocation for the Small Business Workforce Support Program, and the unexpended 2017 Recovery Operating Budget allocation of $40,000 to the Wood Buffalo Economic Development Corporation, subject to an approved budget by Council and subject to any terms and conditions which may be imposed at the discretion of the Chief Administrative Officer.