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M.D. of Smoky River committed to oil sands projects
Rick Froese
Smoky River Express
Council of the Municipal District of Smoky River is willing to work with neighbouring municipal districts and counties to help develop roads as the Peace River Oil Sands develops just north of the Smoky River region.
“We’ve got to cooperate with other MDs and counties in with this development,” says Reeve Louis Tokarz after a presentation by Smoky River Economic Development officer Greg Radstaak who outlined the potential at council’s regular meeting Nov. 10.
This development will impact the MDs of Smoky River, Big Lakes near High Prairie and Greenview near Valleyview, as well as Northern Sunrise County near Peace River.
Council representatives of the three MDs and Northern Sunrise County initiated discussion on the impacts and plans during a meeting Nov. 15 during the fall convention of the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties.
During that meeting, a committee was initiated with representatives from the participating councils, along with Peavine Metis Settlement.
“I want to make sure this MD is not left out and we need to ensure that some of the industry sets up here,” says Radstaak.
He will also approach other councils of the Smoky River region to encourage support of the municipalities to strengthen the communities.
“We need ideas to attract businesses here,” says Radstaak.
“If we don’t, we could lose them to High Prairie and Peace River.”
These oil sands is quickly emerging as one of the biggest in Canada, he noted.
“This area has great potential,” says Radstaak.
“We just have to position ourselves to take advantage.”
Production could mean hundreds of millions of dollars in development and product, and the Smoky River region is right on the edge of the oil sands, he notes.
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