Councillors

Funky Banjoko

My family and I arrived in Fort McMurray in July 2011 and this has become home for us. I am a mother who has raised two amazing kids. One is an active community advocate and most recently completed her law degree studying in the UK. MY son is a division 1 football player, studying his undergraduate at Princeton University.

I am a supply chain management professional with about 30 years of experience and mostly in the Oil and Gas industry.

I have a Bachelor’s degree, MCIPS - Member of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply United Kingdom (Certified) and an SCMP - Supply Chain Management Professional {Certified).

I also worked in Mental Health Case Management for a few years.

Not including my previous various community volunteering prior to arriving in Fort McMurray, my volunteering and community activities in Fort McMurray are but not limited to:

• Community Services Committee – 2012 to 2018 (six years – max allowance)
• Community in Bloom – 2018 to 2019
• Social Director Nigerian Canadian Association of Fort McMurray – 2018 to 2021
• Secretary – The Redeemed Christian Church of God, The Lords Heritage - 2011 to 2021
• Immigration Advisory Table – YMCA Fort McMurray

These experiences have given me the opportunity to connect with citizens in the region, I have also been able further develop community building, collaboration, and negotiations with a focus on what’s best for the people.

What is your community passion/interest and priorities?

1. I want to be able to impact the overall quality of life of citizens in the region with a strategic focus on improving RMWB’s retention of people, families, and work force.
2. Enhancing resource availability for our kids, young adults and families – entertainment, additional stores and shopping opportunities, improve transportation through a thorough review (with involvement from community members) and make changes raising the standard to be in line with what we see in other municipalities.
3. I am also hoping to work with others to improve our partnerships with oilsands and to maximize the advantages to boost our local economy – ensure more of the processes are carried out in the region.
4. Be an advocate for our indigenous communities to actualize Truth and Reconciliation and work WITH our Indigenous communities collaboratively.
5. Be the voice for minorities – continuously engage, hear, and speak for minorities.
6. Actively support the “Support Local” initiatives for the businesses that are here and struggling.

 Email Funky.Banjoko@rmwb.ca

Lance Bussieres

Born and raised in Fort McMurray, Councillor Bussieres has been a proud community member for his entire life. Lance is humbled and honoured to have been elected by residents to Council for a second term after previously serving as a Ward 1 Councillor from 2013 to 2017.

Married to his wife Kelly for 26 years and father to Mitchell, Jacob and Blake, Lance believes in community service that is rooted in family and taking care of those that call this place home.

Lance has been a practicing Real Estate Sales Agent in Fort McMurray since 1991 and in addition to his term on Council, has contributed to the success of the community by serving in various volunteer capacities including the Board of Directors for MacDonald Island Park (now the Regional Recreation Corporation of Wood Buffalo), Big Brothers Big Sisters, Fort McMurray Oil Barons and the Fort McMurray Real Estate Board.

Holding a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Calgary, you can often find Lance supporting the local community sports scene or taking the field himself – whether it’s at the Fort McMurray Oilsands Curling Club, playing or coaching softball, teeing off at one of our golf courses or lacing up the skates at one of our rinks.

Lance is dedicated to making the region a place we are all truly proud to call home and it is imperative that residents benefit from his service on Council. As priorities, Lance is focused on core service delivery, downtown development and local business advocacy, advancing equity and inclusion and supporting our people.

Councillor Bussieres currently represents Council on the Fort McMurray Airport Authority, the Public Art Committee and the Downtown Revitalization Committee.

Email Lance.Bussieres@rmwb.ca

M. Shafiq Dogar

A Fort McMurray resident since 2006, I am passionate about our region. I am a family man – married for 40 years, and have three grown children and eight beautiful grandchildren. A former lawyer, a Veteran Major (R) with the NATO Allied Forces for 23 Years, I hold an LLB, and a Master’s in Administrative Sciences. An Indigenous ally, an advocate of multiculturalism, my goal is to always spread the message of unity, intercultural understanding, and service to others.

A business man (trucker), I am an avid community advocate. I have volunteered for many social profits, organizations and campaigns like the Golden Years Society, RMWB’s Community Clean-up, the SPCA, the Soup Kitchen, and Western Canada Summer Games 2015, to name a few. These efforts were recognized when I was named one of the winners of the 2018 Citizen Recognition Program – Mayor and Council Toast of Champions. I am also a member of the Royal Canadian Legion.

Additionally, I took the initiative to voluntarily assist with the 2016 wildfire efforts and visited evacuation centres across Alberta in Lac La Biche, Edmonton and Calgary to offer support. I was awarded the Heroes of the Wildfire 2016 Medal for this and was a recipient of MP David Yurdiga’s Parliament Insignia for volunteering during the wildfires.

Email Shafiq.Dogar@rmwb.ca

Allan Grandison

Allan arrived in Fort McMurray in the summer of 1984. He is a family man, having met and married his wife, Sandy and raised his three wonderful boys in Fort McMurray. Allan has devoted much of his adult life in serving the community and region.

In the 1980’s he was the band manager of Fort McKay First Nations.  This was a tremendous experience that allowed him to understand the challenges in maintaining indigenous culture, sense of community and re-establishing relationships and trust.

Following his time with Fort McKay First Nations, he began a 15-year tenure in the non-profit sector as the Executive Director of St. Aidan’s Society. The non-profit sector remains a significant priority due to the value this sector brings to the people of our diverse region. From the non profit sector, Allan started working at the RMWB as the Rural Supervisor. During the almost ten years he worked in the the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo he also served as the Acting Manager of Community Development. This experience provided him with an in depth experience working with various levels of Government and Municipal Council.  Gaining first-hand experience working within the Municipal Government Act and so closely with Council contributed to his desire to truly impact change in our Region.  His previous experiences have provided him with a solid belief that successful leadership is achieved through consensus building, innovative thinking and transparent and open communication.
The past 11 years Allan has worked as a Realtor with Re/Max Fort McMurray which has provided some insights into owning and operating a Corporation within the Region. He is also a part owner of a convenience store and gas bar. He recently started teaching first aid with St. John Ambulance.

Allan strongly believes in giving back to the region that has provided so many opportunities to him and his family. Over the years he has served on many community and provincial boards; The Minister’s Working Group on Child Protective Services, The Alberta Association of Services for Children and Families, Umpire in Chief for Fort McMurray Soft-Ball/Baseball Association, The Fort McMurray Umpire’s Association Fort McMurray Minor Baseball Association, The Re/Max-BP Slo-Pitch league and The Regional Recreation Corporation. He has also volunteered with the wood Buffalo Food Bank, the Community Clothing Drive, Boy Scout’s and at Seniors Events. 

Email Allan.Grandison@rmwb.ca

Keith McGrath

“I believe that there are two important landmarks in life – one when you are born and one when you die. But what matters most is what you do in between.” And Keith McGrath has made sure that his “in between” is full indeed. Originally from Newfoundland, while working in the small business sector of Fort McMurray, he took Keyano College Heavy Industrial courses when he first arrived here and was soon part of the construction team that built the Fort McMurray Golf Club.

He went on to have a storied three-decade career in mining, construction and the oil sands. The rest is history, they say.

 Keith is currently the Chief Executive Officer of the NOHA Group, where he fosters relationships with Indigenous communities across Wood Buffalo and from Labrador to Kitimat and all points in between. In his role, he is humbled and honoured to form partnerships and agreements that will positively impact Indigenous communities and social and economic development now and for future generations.

Over the years, he also has been privileged to work with many great community leaders volunteering, working on numerous boards and committees that include the Bill 21 Steering Committee, Community Health Council, Fort McMurray Housing Authority, the Regional Roads Committee, MacDonald Island Park, McMurray Newfoundlanders Club, Lions Club, Knights of Columbus, and was the President of the Friends of Miskanaw Golf Club.

Keith has served on the Board of Directors of the Alberta Catholic School Trustee Association, Finance Committee and served five terms on the Board of Trustees with the Fort McMurray Catholic School District. Keith also spearheaded the idea of the Wood Buffalo Recovery Committee and helped lead recovery efforts following the devastating 2016 Horse River Wildfire – the costliest natural disaster in Canadian history.

Keith is passionate about building a community where no one gets left behind. “While on Council, I want to champion a community plan that's family friendly and sustainable as well as a community that supports both big and small business respecting the diversity of our region and its people. I want to work with stakeholders to shape a region that attracts and retains the young and old alike, and one that delivers core services to ensure economic growth.”

To unwind at the end of a busy day, he walks the trails with his dog, reads, travels, follows hockey and is a keen golfer. But his true passion continues to be his community. “I will never stop learning. I like to think of myself as approachable, respectful and a good listener. My dream is to see that all voices and people are represented. I hope to continue to be a man of the people, for the people.”

Keith has received the 2012 and 2016 JD Hole Humanitarian Award, the 2012 St. Thomas Service Award and was honoured with one of 38 Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medals distributed by the Canadian Construction Association among over 17,000 Canadian firms, in recognition of achievements that have helped to build the Canada of today and the future.

First elected in 2013, Keith is now in his third term on Council and is the longest serving Councillor for Ward 1, representing Fort McMurray. Keith is proud to be Council’s current representative on the Community Identification Committee. 

Kendrick Cardinal

Kendrick was born in Edmonton and raised in Big Point. He currently serves as the Councillor for Ward 2 in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, with a strong focus on advancing the region’s prosperity, accountability, and overall well-being. In addition to his council role, Kendrick is the President of the Fort Chipewyan Métis Nation.

Having overcome significant personal challenges, including time spent incarcerated during his youth, Kendrick has made a remarkable transformation. He is deeply committed to personal growth and leadership, with aspirations to earn his MBA by the age of 50.

A passionate advocate for environmental stewardship, Kendrick holds a deep respect for the land and its vital significance to Indigenous communities. An avid fisherman and hunter, he actively supports Elders and youth in connecting with nature through traditional activities. His love for the outdoors is matched by a desire to inspire the younger generation to embrace sports and community involvement.

Kendrick believes in the power of perseverance and collaboration, encouraging others to stay focused on their goals. He is driven by the conviction that shared values and a deep connection to the land can unite people, and he remains dedicated to making a lasting positive impact in the communities he represents.

Email Kendrick.Cardinal@rmwb.ca

Loretta Waquan

Profile for Loretta Waquan is coming soon.

 Email Loretta.Waquan@rmwb.ca

Stu Wigle

Profile for Stu Wigle is coming soon.

Email Stu.Wigle@rmwb.ca

Stella Lavallee

I'm Stella Lavallee, your newly elected Ward 4 Councillor.  I would like to share a bit of information about myself; I have deep roots in this beautiful region.

My family’s history here spans over 110 years on my paternal side and close to 200 years on my maternal side. Being raised here, I’ve always felt a strong connection to the land, the people, and the stories that have shaped our community.

Now I’m raising my own children here, passing on the traditions, values, and love for this place that my ancestors instilled in me. There’s something special about living in a place where the past feels alive in every corner, and I’m proud to be part of that ongoing story.

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working in a variety of roles that have allowed me to develop a well-rounded skill set — skills that I now bring to my work in municipal government.

For the past 20 years, I’ve worked in government and community relations within the oil and gas industry, where I’ve gained invaluable experience in building partnerships, managing stakeholder relations, and advocating for community needs at both local, provincial and national levels. This experience has given me a deep understanding of the challenges that can arise between industries, governments, and the communities they serve.

In addition to my work in the private sector, I’ve had the honor of serving as President of the Willow Lake Métis Nation for the past eight years, currently in my third term. In this role, I meet regularly with provincial and federal ministers across various levels of government to advocate for the interests of the Métis community. This leadership position has allowed me to strengthen my skills in negotiation, policy advocacy, and intergovernmental collaboration, which are essential when serving in municipal government.

I’ve volunteered and sat on many boards throughout the years; I’ve been recognized for my community involvement by winning the Top 50 under 50 WB Award, McMurray Girl Award, Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal and most recently the International Stevie Awards, Woman in Business.  These awards have reinforced my belief that good leadership is about more than accolades—it’s about making a real, tangible difference in the lives of the people we serve.

My goal is to continue fostering a sense of community, inclusivity, and growth, while addressing the needs of every resident.

I am committed to making decisions that are rooted in collaboration, transparency, and a deep understanding of the needs of our region. Together, we can continue to build a vibrant, prosperous, and welcoming community for everyone.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about my journey, my volunteer work, and how these experiences have prepared me to serve in municipal government. I’m excited about the opportunity to work alongside each of you to create positive change in our communities.

Email Stella.Lavallee@rmwb.ca