Planning for the future is important, and the RMWB’s Municipal Development Plan (MDP) lays out the Municipality’s goals and vision for the Wood Buffalo region for the next 20 years. The MDP is a guide for future development and economic growth.
The MDP was passed at Council on Sept. 10, 2024, read the news release here.
What’s in the MDP?
The focus of the Municipality’s MDP is people, community, and maximizing the tremendous opportunity that exists here. By prioritizing policy that makes Wood Buffalo a better place for all, the MDP emphasizes on improving the social fabric of the region.
Vision
Wood Buffalo is a flourishing Region and community of choice with a strong sense of identity, history, and optimism, to call home, today and tomorrow. The Wood Buffalo of tomorrow will be built on its greatest strengths today. Wood Buffalo is a place like no other, offering tenacious community spirit, incredible economic opportunities, limitless natural wonder, cultural diversity rarely found anywhere else in the world, and remarkable Indigenous culture and history. By focusing and building on what already makes Wood Buffalo great, residents will pursue opportunity, together, for all those who call Wood Buffalo home.
Goals
The MDP goals are central ideas about who and what Wood Buffalo values most. Each goal provides guidance for strategic direction and action items that collectively achieve the MDP’s vision. To achieve this vision the Municipality has identified six goals.
Wood Buffalo strives to be a place for all, a place where people help and support one another, with compassion at the heart of every community. This goal identifies opportunities for Wood Buffalo to reinforce its unique sense of place, improve community safety, and foster belonging by meeting the needs of all.
Economic diversification and development bring vibrancy to the local economy and prosperity throughout Wood Buffalo, without forgetting the core oil sands industry. As a centre for excellence in oil sands extraction technology and innovation, the Region will continue to support and serve its health and knowledge growth.
The six First Nations and six Métis communities in Wood Buffalo are rich in collaborative spirit and historical, cultural, and economic importance. Wood Buffalo is located on Treaty 8 Territory and is the ancestral and traditional land of the Cree, Dene, and Métis. Prioritizing collaborative dialogue and meaningful relationship building with local Indigenous Partners and communities is central to the MDP and how Truth and Reconciliation will continue to move forward in Wood Buffalo.
Brimming with community pride, Wood Buffalo celebrates its unique past, vibrant arts, rich culture, and diverse population. These are things that not only make Wood Buffalo an amazing place to live but also contribute to an everyday vitality rarely found elsewhere. Quality of life for all is enhanced through opportunities to celebrate the unique cultures within the Region, while the promotion of and participation in diverse arts and cultural activities provide educational and growth opportunities that bring people together and foster community.
Wood Buffalo’s cherished wilderness areas, protected ecosystems, parks, and waterfronts are hallmarks of the Region, recognizing Indigenous Peoples as the original stewards and caretakers of the land. Visitors come from near and far to explore the incredible outdoors. Bold new ideas like the Green and Blue Network can create a necklace of integrated trails and pathways throughout the Region with the potential to become the envy of nature-goers around the world. The connection that Indigenous Peoples have to land and water will be upheld while sustained commitments to acting on climate change and sound environmental stewardship will continue to share Wood Buffalo’s values with the world.
The Municipality finds itself advantageously positioned with an abundance of development-ready land throughout Wood Buffalo. In particular, the existing supply of serviced land is more than adequate to provide for Fort McMurray’s needs, allowing Wood Buffalo to focus on how regional growth and investment can be responsibly leveraged to support a livable, sustainable, and desirable community for all.
Frequently Asked Questions
| How was the MDP developed? |
| The MDP was prepared, incorporating extensive background research, best practices, and public engagement with community partners, stakeholders, rural communities, Indigenous Partners and residents. |
| Why did we need a new plan? |
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The previous MDP was approved in 2011, and was based on a growth model that no longer applies to the region. Given the changes in Wood Buffalo’s social, cultural, and economic conditions, it's important for the Municipality to adopt a new MDP that aligns with current realities of the region. The revised plan will support new, sustainable and responsible growth for the region, while also committing to Truth and Reconciliation efforts. The Alberta Municipal Government Act requires municipalities to prepare an MDP and various other plans. The MDP is the highest level of statutory plan for the Municipality. |
| Where can I read about how the region was engaged? |
| Read the report here |