Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

Report

Fly-in Fly-out and Project Accommodations

Information

Department:Deputy Chief Administrative OfficerSponsors:
Category:Report

Body

The task of increasing Industry’s use of a locally based workforce will continue to require significant effort from many sectors in the region. For this to occur, all parties cannot afford to let this effort slide. While the RMWB will continue to lead this effort and dedicate resources to continue this work, Industry, contractors and the camp providers cannot afford to ignore this issue.

 

It is recommended that Council direct Administration in accordance with the below:

 

THAT Administration be directed to:

a)                 Pursue commitments made by Industry signatories arising from the existing signed memoranda of understanding (MOUs).

b)                 Continue to request signed memoranda from active oil sands producers.

c)                  Work with Industry, contractors, camp providers and other partners to identify priority transportation infrastructure projects that would help improve highway safety and decrease the commute time from regional communities to oil sands projects. This would include retaining experts as required, in partnership with Industry. Once identified, all parties to work collaboratively to encourage provincial and federal funding.

d)                 Work with Industry to conduct “Park and Ride” pilot projects that will support Industry projects north and south of Fort McMurray. This includes the expenditure of municipal funds to prepare sites for projects of this scale, once obtaining agreements for usage from Industry partners.

e)                 Encourage Industry to:

i.        increase its use of Fort McMurray as a hub for its camp-based operations workforce

ii.      incent its workforce to live in Fort McMurray while off-shift

iii.     support travel to the job site via a “Park and Ride” or flights from the Fort McMurray International Airport and return home to Fort McMurray or other residential centres in the region at the end of their shift rotation.

f)                    Continue and expand the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo community engagement initiatives related to rotational workforce.

g)                 Implement MDP Policies R.1, 1.1, 1.3 and 1.4 by amending Land Use Bylaw 99/059 (the “LUB”) to divide the definition of “Project Accommodation” into categories recognizing the distinction between “operational Project Accommodation” and “construction/turnaround activity Project Accommodation” and defining how a 75 km “moratorium distance” (or equivalency) may reasonably be implemented with respect to “operational Project Accommodation(s)”.

h)                 Encourage that all new discretionary use Project Accommodation (camp) applications be located within the “Consolidated Work Camp Area(s)” in proximity to Fort McKay and Conklin areas, as identified on the MDP’s “Regional Growth Concept” map.

i)                    Further explore opportunities for the Municipality to encourage increased local employment via grants or other non-tax related incentives.*

j)                    Explore opportunities for the Municipality to provide financial incentives for Seniors to continue to stay, or relocate to, the region.

k)                  Along with Industry and other stakeholders, determine the baseline for reporting back to Council the progress of these initiatives to Council no later than December 10, 2019.

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*Administration has received a legal opinion that the Municipal Government Act (MGA) has restrictions related to tax subsidies/exemptions/reductions that limit our ability to specifically incent oil sands workers to move to the RMWB.

 

Meeting History

Jun 4, 2019 12:00 PM Video Council Special Council Meeting

The Chief Administrative Officer introduced the report before Council.

Declarations and Exit

Councillor K. McGrath stated, for the record, that he is an officer of a company that may be affected by the moratorium. Following a series of conversations with external legal counsel, it's been determined that he has a conflict of interest and he will not be participating further with respect to this matter. Councillor K. McGrath exited the Chamber at 4:44 p.m.

Councillor V. Murphy declared she has also consulted with legal counsel to ensure there is no conflict or pecuniary interest due to family members working for industry.

Councillor K. Balsom also declared that she has received third party legal advice and as a result, is free to participate in discussions and voting on this matter.

Jamie Doyle, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, and Brad McMurdo, Director, Planning and Development, presented an overview of the progress to date with respect to this matter and answered questions of Council.

Recess

A recess occurred from 5:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.

Gilles Huizinga, Chair of the Housing Sub-Committee, presented on the findings of the Sub-Committee and answered questions of Council.

Bryce Kumka, Chair of the Transportation Sub-Committee, presented on the purpose and findings of the Sub-Committee and answered questions of Council.

Arianna Johnson, Chair of the Community Support Services Sub-Committee spoke to the pillars established by the Sub-Committee and answered questions of Council.

Exits and Returns

Councillor K. Balsom exited the Chamber at 6:30 p.m. and returned at 6:31 p.m.

Councillor S. Lalonde exited the Chamber at 6:37 p.m. and returned at 6:39 p.m.

Karim Zariffa, Executive Director for Oilsands Community Alliance, spoke in support of the partnerships outlined in the report and asked Council to reconsider section g) of the original recommended motion as it does not reflect or represent partnerships and collaboration initiatives.

Point of Order

Councillor V. Murphy raised a Point of Order on the Chair with respect to conduct and questioning of the delegate. In accordance with the Procedure Bylaw, the Chair ruled, overturned the Point of Order and continued with questions of the delegate.

Point of Privilege

Councillor P. Meagher called a Point of Privilege (Point of Order) on the Chair, requesting that the delegate be allowed to finish his statement. The Chair upheld the Point of Order. The delegate noted that for the record, he had concluded his remarks on this matter.

Recess

A recess occurred from 7:07 p.m. and 7:20 p.m.