Jim Prentice, who is hoping to obtain PC Leadership, recently visited and discussed Fort MacMurray politics, and the growing pains in Fort MacMurray that result from the population in the region expanding so quickly. While in Fort MacMurray Prentice took part in a number of events over a few days, and he spent the weekend taking with members of the community. A strong Fort MacMurray base is the cornerstone to a successful Alberta economy and Prentice pointed this out more than once during his visit. When Prentice spoke at one event he stated “I will talk with the prime minister and if I’m successful as premier, it’ll be on the agenda list and we’ll get it out of the bureaucratic gray area that it’s currently mired in.”
The growing pains in Fort MacMurray are becoming bigger every day, and te infrastructure of Wood Buffalo needs to be further developed and strengthened. As the area continues to attract more people to work in the oilsands or perform other vital services the region will continue to see growth in large numbers. During his visit Prentice told community residents “The provincial government has a role to play in making sure land is available and brought on stream for development in Fort McMurray. It is a model community. It’s the economic engine of Canada. I don’t think the growth pressures are extreme right now,.Until we get a line of sight on pipelines to the west coast, you’re not going to see many significant multi-billion investments in the oilsands.”