Municipality releases proposed 2026 budget totaling $661 million

The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RWMB) has released its proposed 2026 budget of $661 million. The proposed budget is focused on sustainable management of municipal assets, strengthening partnerships and building meaningful connections with Indigenous communities, local business and non-profits while positioning the region for emerging opportunities.

"The proposed budget reflects our continued commitment to aligning expenditures with organizational priorities,” says Laurie Farquharson, Chief Financial Officer for the RMWB. “It strikes a critical balance between maintaining operational stability with targeted investments that support growth and innovation.”

Council will review and deliberate the proposed 2026 budget during a series of meetings beginning February 3, 2026. Residents are encouraged to review the following resources to learn more about this year’s proposed budget: 

• 2026 Budget Primer 
• 2026 Proposed Budget & Financial Plan
• Community Investment Program and Operating Budget agenda package
• Capital Budget agenda package

Proposed budget overview
Every year, Administration develops a proposed budget and presents it to Council for consideration. Finalizing the municipal budget requires decisions about essential programs, services and infrastructure needs, while planning responsibly for the region’s long-term future. Administration leads Council through this process, while Council makes budget decisions on behalf of the community.

The proposed 2026 budget totals $661 million, including $513 million for operations and $148 million to be transferred to reserves. Administration is proposing a $128 million capital budget, funded through a combination of $23 million in grants and $105 million from the Capital Infrastructure Reserve. These figures are subject to change as Council reviews and deliberates the proposed budget.

Follow the budget meetings
The 2026 budget meetings will be held in Council Chambers at the Jubilee Centre from February 3-5, 2026, with February 6 set aside as an additional day if needed. All meetings will begin at 9 a.m. and can be watched in-person and streamed online on the Municipality’s YouTube channel or at rmwb.ca/council.

• Feb. 3: Operating Budget, including Community Investment Program.
• Feb. 4: Operating Budget deliberations to continue, if required. Capital Budget deliberations are expected to begin.
• Feb. 5: Capital Budget to continue, if required.
• Feb. 6: Additional budget meeting day, if required.

Participating as a delegate in the budget meetings
Community members have an opportunity to make a 5-minute verbal presentation to Council during specific delegation periods each day of budget meetings.

• Anyone wishing to speak during the operating budget session, which includes the Community Investment Program, must register as a delegate by 9 a.m. on February 3, 2026. 
• Anyone wishing to speak during the capital budget session must register as a delegate by 9 a.m. on February 4, 2026.
• To register, complete the Request to Speak form or call 780-743-7001.

For those interested in learning more about the 2026 Proposed Budget, additional resources are available online at rmwb.ca/budget.

For further information or questions, please contact Pulse at 780-743-7000 or toll-free at 1-800-973-9663.

-30-