The municipality is scrapping a potential relocation pilot project aimed at getting oil workers to move to the region.
Wood Buffalo council met on Tuesday where they voted in favour of administration’s recommendation to cut the potential program.
The idea was first brought forward by Councillor Keith McGrath who wanted the RMWB and Wood Buffalo Economic Development Corporation to look into incentives for fly-in-fly-out workers to live in the community.
This included the possibility of matching financial assistance from employers, up to $5,000, for a minimum three-year term.
McGrath says he was told a company would bring their employees here if these incentives were introduced, explaining why he pushed for the project.
“When I hear the upsides to all of this I wouldn’t see why we squash it at the first interval and that’s just my observation.”
However, administration and WBEDC noted the project could potentially be open to a potential legal challenge, be viewed as a bad use of taxpayer dollars, and be unfair to the residents who already live here.
“We recommend attracting residents on the merits of our amazing community which is the most variable and sustainable way forward for long-term growth,” said Kevin Weidlich, WBEDC President and CEO.
He also spoke to council about other initiatives they’re undertaking to bring in more traffic to the region.
This includes improving the region’s ‘brand’ and holding HR workshops to support local employers’ and HR professional’s labour attraction and recruitment efforts.
“We recommend attracting residents on the merits of our amazing community which is the most variable and sustainable way forward for long-term growth.”
Parking Tickets
People who get a parking ticket will have a chance to cut the fine considerably.
Council also approved a 40 per cent cut for these fines when the individual pays the fee within seven days of receiving the ticket.
Instead of paying $120 for a regular ticket, drivers would be required to pay $72.
Previously, the municipality offered a five-dollar reduction for those who paid in the first week.
Currently, the majority of local parking tickets are more expensive than those in other major provincial communities such as Edmonton and Calgary.
