Council Motion - Waiver of Adherence to Trade Agreements for Local Contractors

THAT the Mayor be authorized to send a letter to the Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Tourism and the Minister of Service Alberta requesting that adherence to the various trade agreements for scopes of work for the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) be waived for a period of 18 months to allow local contractors first right of refusal on work scoped by the RMWB, provided that local contractors have the capacity and capabilities to perform the work required. The intent of this letter is to advocate on behalf of the residents and business in the RMWB to support the local economy throughout the ongoing pandemic and downturn in the oil industry in our region.