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Economic Ft Mac Health

Additional Funding Announced For Fort McMurray Family Crisis Society

Fort McMurray Family Crisis Society, additional funding

According to a recent announcement the Fort McMurray Family Crisis Society, also known as Waypoints, will receive additional funding from the provincial government of just over one million dollars. This is money that the organization can greatly use as they try to provide services to families, women, and children. The exact amount of the additional funding is $1, 054,000. Roughly 75% of the additional funds will be used towards the second stage housing program that they have with helps provide subsidized rent payments for women and children who have had to leave their homes. Waypoints director Michele Taylor stated “Now what we can do is really start to look at the quality of our programming. Our support for children, getting increased skill and expertise in the area of trauma…”

The additional funding for the Fort McMurray Family Crisis Society is important so that they group can continue with their second stage housing project. During the press conference held by the provincial government the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters head Jan Reimer remarked “This is the best news that Alberta shelters have had in a very long long long time. We know second stage shelters work. Not all women can walk out of the doors of an emergency shelter and start a new life.” Michele Taylor also said “That should really aid in healing and really effective recovery from the experiences that they’ve had, and allow them to move forward with life more quickly.” The funding from the provincial government will go a long way to keeping families, women, and children housed.

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Ft Mac

Additional Funding for Fort McMurray International Airport Expansions and Upgrades Announced

Fort McMurray International Airport, additional funding

Additional funding, in the amount of $25 million, has been granted to Fort MacMurray International Airport by the federal government for expansions and upgrades. This additional funding will open up opportunities for a larger number of cargo flights and international flights. The grant was revealed by Health Minister Rona Ambrose on Friday, and the revelation was made at the observation deck in the airport. A majority of the grant funds will be used to pay for a runway extension and an expansion of the main terminal at the airport. Other projects that will be covered by the grant funds include an emergency crosswind runway and the development or two new taxiways to handle general aviation needs.

David Yurdiga, the Fort McMurray-Athabasca MP, discussed the additional funding for Fort McMurray International Airport. Yurdiga said “Projects that result in gains for the Canadian economy are important building blocks of a strong community. The Fort McMurray International Airport is critical to shipping goods and transporting people. Our employees and employers and businesses rely on the airport, and it serves as a major gateway to the Athabasca region. Ensuring it has the capacity it needs today while making room for future growth is of the utmost importance.” Kyle Harrietha, a Fort McMurray-Cold Lake Liberal candidate, criticized the time it took to get the grant, saying in a press release “It’s unfortunate the Conservative Government bases its planning and investment decisions on the timing of an election. Decisions like this should be based on prudent planning and a thorough needs assessment. It’s clear this investment should have happened years ago, but better late than never.”