Councillors

Ken Ball

Councillor Ball is originally from Whitehorse, Yukon, and grew up in Leduc, Alberta. He moved to Fort McMurray to begin his career with the City of Fort McMurray in 1991. Ken met his wife; Lisa in Fort McMurray and they have been married since 1995. Councillor Ball has made Fort McMurray his home for 30 years and for 27 of those years was employed with the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo and the City of Fort McMurray in a variety of roles within the Planning, Engineering and Parks Departments. 

Ken and his wife Lisa raise Samoyed dogs that they show all over Western Canada and the Northwest United States. Ken was the president of the Northland Kennel Club for several years and along with the rest of the executive hosted several Canadian Kennel Club endorsed events. Ken is an avid outdoorsman and loves the Northern lifestyle. Ken spends a significant amount of his spare time exploring our region whether it’s going for a hike, driving to a remote lake, riding his OHV and snow mobile or taking a float plane to a remote fishing lodge. Ken has visited almost every corner of this amazing region.

Councillor Ball has been involved in local sport for the duration of his time in Fort McMurray and has led the local Men’s Hockey league and been a member of the Executive for the Coed Slow Pitch League. Ken still plays both of these sports and it’s not uncommon to find him at the ballpark during the summer or at one of the rinks throughout the winter. Ken was co-chair for the Dog Mushing event for the 2004 Arctic Winter Games and was co-captain of a team of riders from Fort McMurray that rode in the Ride to Conquer Cancer 4 times and collectively raised over 300,000 dollars for cancer research. Ken was recognized as a Ride Ambassador several times for this event. 

"I was fortunate to meet a very special man early in my career and he took the time to tell me plenty of stories about how Fort McMurray grew over the years. We need to celebrate our rich history along with our cultural diversity. The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo is an incredible place, and it needs to remain that way." 

Ken is focused on being fiscally responsible in the delivery of services to residents and advancing local initiatives. Ken will work with all members of Council to develop a Strategic Plan that is supported by our residents. Ken will work hard to resolve the Lower townsite, Waterways and Draper flooding issues. 

Councillor Ball currently represents Council on the Advisory Committee on Aging, the 2023 Arctic Winter Games Committee and the Waterfront Advisory Committee

Email Ken.Ball@rmwb.ca

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

Profile for Kendrick Cardinal is coming soon.

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

Jane Stroud

Thrilled to be acclaimed for the 2021-2025 Council term, Jane offers thanks for the support she has received and continues to receive from residents, businesses, and community organizations.

“With this positive interaction we are moving forward to ensure our communities are safe, sustainable and healthy. It has been an honor to be the Council representative for Ward 4 since 2010. I am committed to being a positive and influential Councillor for the communities that I serve. I will continue to listen, raise concerns and work towards achieving the results that the residents of Ward 4 deserve.”

Born and raised in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, Jane has two children, Gordon (Melanie) and Kimberley, three grandchildren, Adrianna, Kiera, and Liam and one great grandchild, Melody. She enjoys visiting with family and golfing.

Her educational background includes Business Administration Degree, Majoring in Accounting, and a Management Certificate in Payroll.

She is a proud recipient of the Citizen Recognition Award for her work on Environmental Protection. Jane is also a recipient of the “Woman of Inspiration” Award by Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta in 2017, and she also received the “Award of Excellence” in 2019 from the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association.

Jane is committed to the provision of essential core services for those in Ward 4 which includes piped water and sewer, walking trails/sidewalks, paved roads, indoor skating rinks, and Family Community Support Services for Seniors/Elders.

Some of the construction projects completed last Council term:

• Anzac Firehall
• Completion of paved roads in Gregoire Lake Estates and Janvier
• Conklin Multi-plex
• Playground in Janvier
• Sidewalks in Gregoire Lake Estates

Projects to be completed/and or advance this Council Term include:

• High speed internet (fibre optic)
• Completion of paved roads in Anzac and Conklin
• Rural Water and Sewer hookup to homes in Ward 4
• Progress on extension of walking paths
• Progress on egress road (s)

Important initiatives in the last Council term included the flying of the Metis Flag in Anzac, and the establishment of a dedicated Volunteer Fire Department in Janvier. Initiatives this Council term will also include the creation and placement of signs on Highway 63 and 881 to recognize Treaty 8 and unceded Métis Territory.

Jane represents Council on a number of Boards.  At present, these include the Regional Recreation Corporation Board and the Emergency Advisory Committee.

On the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, her committees include: the Northern and Remote Forum, Prairies & Territories Regional Caucus, Rural Forum, Standing Committee on International Relations, and the Community Safety and Crime Prevention

Email Jane.Stroud@rmwb.ca