The Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a community engagement initiative to assess the satisfaction of Wood Buffalo residents with their quality-of-life and to see how we, the citizens, can collectively improve it. Citizens in our community are the best experts about how it can best grow and progress.

 

We constantly hear from people in our community who say they have been talking about the same things over and over but no one seems to be listening.”  Said Kim Farwell, Initiative spokesperson.

 

“Chamber members are not just businesses,” added Ms Farwell “We are employers, community volunteers, charity sponsors, and your friends and neighbours – and we want to hear from you, our friends and neighbors, to learn what you wish for the home we share.”

 

Wood Buffalo has weathered explosive growth over the past decade.  The scarcity of land and high cost of living has inhibited the launch of new businesses – retail outlets, health and beauty services, restaurants, and other small businesses – to keep pace with population growth.

 

The release of two large land parcels will present the opportunity to create much needed residential neighborhoods, commercial and light industrial properties.

 

Building a sustainable community requires people to share their ideas for the future. We encourage all citizens to link arms and map out a better future for our children, and our children’s children. We are reaching out, on the street, in your mailbox, on the web.

 

You will hear from us as we move along and probably hear some familiar stories and requests for change that you have shared with friends and neighbors over the years. But we need to hear every voice we can.

 

Starting with an on-line questionnaire and street level consultations with the citizens of Wood Buffalo, informed participation will vastly improve community development. 

 

All data collected through this community engagement initiative will be shared with citizens and stakeholders within the community as well as all levels of Government.