Category: Economic

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Economic Ft Mac

Timberlea Housing Project Finally Opened by Wood Buffalo Housing and Development Corporation

Wood Buffalo Housing and Development Corporation, Timberlea housing project

The Wood Buffalo Housing and Development Corporation Timberlea housing project is finally open after a fire in 2014 put the project behind schedule and created a number of delays. The Siltstone Ride apartment complex has started seeing new residents move in. In June of 2014 a large fire burned one of the biggest buildings at the housing project to the ground, and the complex could not open as first scheduled because of the fire damage and losses. WBHCD president Bryan Lutes explained “(It’s) very proud day for us. Because of the obstacles that we ran up against in getting this development finished.” The project involved two main buildings where residences are located, an the building that burned down last year was one of the two residence structures. The fire was caused when a soil stabilization mixer ruptured a gas line at the site, and the natural gas that leaked started a fire when it was ignited from sparks caused by utility and power lines.

The Wood Buffalo Housing and Development Corporation Timberlea housing project was around 80% complete but the buildings were empty when the fire started in 2014. One fo the firefighters who battled the blaze was injured, and the building was almost a complete loss because of the damage sustained. Lutes told journalists “In 14 months, it’s been completely rebuilt. It’s ready to occupy, the turnover date is today, in fact. Siltstone Ridge means more opportunities as we go forward to help people that need assistance with our extremely expensive housing cost. At entry levels, we have teachers and nurses and municipal employees that need some assistance.” The other residential building on site was not damaged when the fire broke out, and residents started to move into apartments in that building in January of this year.

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Economic Ft Mac

Snow Clearing Plans Publicized in Fort McMurray

Fort McMurray, snow clearing

The RMWB is publicizing the snow clearing plans for Fort McMurray in order to help residents understand when and ho the roads will be cleared of snow. The expanded winter maintenance plan calls for weekly snow removal, and the plan will go into effect on October 15, 2015. The region has been divided into 5 designated winter maintenance zones, and each of these 5 zones will have the snow cleared at least once each week. Signs have been installed locally to help residents keep track of when their snow will be cleared during the week. The goal is to prevent any problems and to keep the roadways clear on the designated snow clearing days.

According to RMWB Director of Public Works Robert Billard “Residents have expressed concerns about the level of service in these areas.” Making the snow clearing plan public so that all Fort McMurray residents understand the rules and schedules should make things easier on everyone. Over a year ago the council directed the administration to expand the snow clearing services. Residents will be expected to keep the roads clear of all vehicles on the designated day for snow clearing during the week. Residents who do not do this may find that their vehicle was removed so that the snow could be cleared in that area. Vehicles which obstruct the snow removal will be towed by the contracted towing company, and the owner will be assessed a $120 parking ticket on top of the towing expenses and other possible charges. Billard told the media that in the past vehicles were simply towed a street or two over, but the expanded scale of the snow removal plan means that this is no longer an option.

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Alberta Canada Economic Ft Mac

CNRL Announces Across the Board Salary Cuts to Offset Low Oil Prices

salary cuts, CNRL

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd., better known as CNRL, has announced salary cuts that will be applied across the board in a move to recover from low oil prices on the market right now. According to a company spokesperson every salaried employe at the energy company will be expected to take a pay cut that could be a maximum of 10%, and no employee will be exempt from this reduction. CNRL is struggling right now, trying to stay profitable and competitive without laying off employees or cutting positions. According to an email from company spokesperson Julie Woo “The salary reductions of up to 10% apply to all salaried employees across our operations, including at our Horizon Oil Sands operation.” The company currently employs around 7,500 employees.

CNRL spokesperson Woo did not give a complete break down of the CNRL salary cuts or offer an estimate on the amount of savings that this move could mean for the company. The idea is that even senior management officials like Steve Laut, the president and CEO of CNRL, will take the same percentage of salary cuts as lower placed salaried workers. Higher pay means that higher ranked management will see steeper reductions even though the same percentage of their pay will be deducted because these executives make more. According to Julie Woo “The challenges facing our industry are significant. These measures were taken in order to help the company address the current challenges without reducing our workforce.” Just last month the company was blaming the provincial government for corporate tax increases that also ate into the company profits.

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Economic Ft Mac

Fundraising Goal of $8 Million Set by Fort McMurray United Way

Fort McMurray United Way, fundraising goal

In spite of the tough economic situation for many in the area the Fort McMurray United Way has set a very ambitious fundraising goal for their efforts over the next few months, $8 million. According to the United Way region spokesperson Russell Thomas the goal may seem daunting but it is necessary. “(The board) really felt that, looking out over the next twelve months, there was no question that the demand on the agencies were going to go up,. They felt really strongly about the focus of this campaign being about meeting the needs that exist in the community. While it may seem daunting, in light of the economy, I think (the board is) really trusting the nature of people in Fort McMurray, which is to rise to a challenge and to look after each other. We are hoping that we are going to be able to reach more people with that story…there’s a high level of optimism, at the various teams that are out at site and in town here that they are going to be able to do that.”

When times get tough and the economic situation is bleak more people in the area turn to agencies like the Fort McMurray United Way for assistance that they need. The $8 million fundraising goal reflects an accurate prediction of the increase in assistance that local residents will need in the next year. Last year the group made more than $8 million so setting the goal at this level is not unreasonable.

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Economic Entertainment Ft Mac

Shell Place Has Budget Deficit in Spite of Summer Filled With Events

Shell Place, budget deficit

In spite of a summer that was filled with high profile events Shell Place has ended the fiscal year with a budget deficit that is approximately $387,000. The original prediction by the Regional Recreation Corporation was that there would be a deficit of almost $6 million, so $400,000 seems like a big improvement. $3.7 million of the deficit that was expected was eliminated when the company laid off 8 employees. Six of the employees were part time custodial staff, one employee was a full time building operator, and one employee was a full time handyman and maintenance staff. Shell Place suffered losses on three big events planned to attract crowds to the new venue. The Aerosmith concert and the Northern Kickoff games caused losses of $2.9 million, and there were events budgeted for July and September 2015 that had unrealized revenue as well which added $1.5 million to the deficit.

According to RRC CEO Annette Antoniak “There was the expectation with the opening of Shell Place in a robust economy that we would achieve those numbers and that didn’t happen.” Antoniak stated that she will try to pitch a budget for 2016 that is more conservative while still being sufficient to book top name acts and performers who can draw in large crowds. The CEO told the media that “You will see a budget done on numbers we know we can achieve given the current economic situation.” Councilor Tyran Ault said “You just had to look at how many empty seats there were at the events to come to this conclusion. We didn’t know the numbers until today, we learned about them at the same time as everybody else, but this wasn’t a surprise.”

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Alberta Economic Ft Mac

Nexen Energy Long Lake Facility Will Remain Open

Nexen Energy, Long Lake facility

The Nexen Energy Long Lake facility will remain open and some of the pipelines that were shut down are being restarted now that the suspension on 40 pipelines has been lifted by the Alberta Energy Regulator. 55 additional pipelines are still not in operation because these are still under suspension until Nexen can show the regulator that these additional pipelines can be responsibly and safely operated by the company. A recent announcement by the regulator expressed confidence that there was a low public safety and environmental risk, and this conclusion was reached once documentation and proposed company initiatives were reviewed. The facility and pipelines were inspected on August 31 an September 1. The pipelines which are still under suspension carry emulsion, fresh water, crude oil, salt water, and natural gas.

The Alberta Energy Regulator released a statement about the Nexen Energy Long Lake facility. The statement read in part “Nexen has demonstrated to the AER that these utility lines can be operated safely and within all regulatory requirements. Nexen is required to implement its action plan for improved operations including a rigorous inspection plan and daily and weekly inspections of the affected lines. Nexen is also required to provide the AER with regular updates on inspection results.” Neither the regulator or the company would name the initiatives which will be taken to ensure pipeline safety, maintenance, and safe operation. The review of the pipeline operation suspensions at the Long Lake facility was not influenced in any way by the plan to shut the facility down, and the AER stated “The AER recognizes the impact regulatory decisions can have, however we must ensure that all areas of concern are addressed.”