The year long birthday party for the municipality has been canceled by the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo council in order to cut expenses. The celebration was intended to honor the 20th anniversary of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, and it was expected to cost around a quarter of a million dollars. With the council canceling projects and recently making $80 million in cuts spending this kind f money on a birthday celebration that lasts the entire year is not a big priority right now. According to Fort MacMurray Mayor Melissa Blake “A 20-year party is not as big as a 25-year party in anyone’s circles, and so they’re taking very much to heart what … the budget numbers would be. We’re a lot more optimistic that the 25-year, or silver anniversary, is going to be one that demonstrates what a benefit amalgamation has been,”

The celebration is now expected to take place to commemorate the 25th anniversary instead, with the hope that the budget numbers will be better in 5 years. Coun. Jane Stroud also commented on the decision by the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo council to cancel the birthday party this year, saying“Residents in the rural area are still struggling with the fact that some of these amalgamation principles still need to be met,” she said in an email. “I believe by that time both Council and Administration of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo will have met some of the principles of amalgamation.” The motion to defer the celebration was unanimous.