The Wood Buffalo Council is pushing for lower rural taxes, putting pressure on the province to do something about the problems that the rural tax rates are causing for a number of local people in the region. A number of business owners made complaints, as did aboriginal leaders. The complaints all show that the current tax rate is affecting quality of life and development in the rural areas. Rural business owners pay a tax rate that is more than 4.5% higher than what Fort MacMurray business owners pay. The motion to allow the municipality to tax non residential properties in rural hamlets at the same rate that Fort MacMurray business owners pay was submitted by Councillor Jane Stroud. Soon after the motion was presented business leaders and aboriginal Metis pleaded with the council to accept the motion. The Wood Buffalo Council motion from Councillor Jane Stroud would also create a Hamlet service Area where all properties would be taxed at the same rate that Fort MacMurray properties are taxed at.

Conklin Resource Development Advisory Committee CEO Jeffrey O’Donnell discussed the fact that many of the rural businesses which struggle and eventually close because of high taxes and expenses are businesses that provide community services and oil company and sector support. O’Donnell stated “Unless you operate out of the rural communities like Conklin or McKay or Chip, you can only then really understand the impact.” Councillors explained that only the provincial government can change taxes, and Councillor Allan Vinni said “You’re preaching to the choir here. The way that tax structure works is preventing the smaller communities in this municipality from achieving their destiny in every way.”