FORT MCMURRAY — Small Business Week is underway across Alberta, with Fort McMurray’s business community preparing to mark the occasion with its annual celebration of local entrepreneurship and business excellence.
The Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce will hold its 2026 Business Awards Celebration on Thursday, Oct. 22, continuing a tradition of recognizing local businesses, organizations and leaders during Small Business Week.
The event will bring together members of the Wood Buffalo business community to celebrate innovation, leadership, community involvement and entrepreneurial success across the region.
Awards will recognize businesses and individuals in areas including emerging entrepreneurship, Indigenous-owned business, leadership, sustainability, tourism and community involvement, along with Small, Medium and Large Business of the Year.
The local celebration comes as the province recognizes the broader role small businesses play in communities across Alberta.
Tany Yao, MLA for Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo and parliamentary secretary for Small Business and Northern Development, said Small Business Week is an opportunity to recognize entrepreneurs who took a risk and turned an idea into something larger.
“Small business owners are entrepreneurs who took the risk and turned an idea into something bigger,” Yao said. “Small businesses help build stronger communities with local job creation and strong local economies where Albertans are proud to support each other.”
Yao said small businesses frequently provide young Albertans with their first jobs and play an important role supporting local organizations, teams and communities.
“These are more than just businesses — they’re part of what makes Alberta the best place to call home,” he said.
He encouraged Albertans to mark Small Business Week by choosing local businesses, recommending Alberta companies and recognizing the work of local entrepreneurs.
“Together, we can support the businesses that create jobs, drive innovation and help keep Alberta’s economy strong,” Yao said.
The Fort McMurray Chamber says its annual awards are intended to recognize the businesses, organizations and leaders helping shape the future of Wood Buffalo.
The 2026 Business Awards Celebration takes place Thursday, Oct. 22.
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