COVID-19 Economic Resilience and Vision Task Force
Task force progress
The COVID-19 Economic Resilience and Vision Task Force was established by Bylaw 31-2020 (66.8 KB) .
The Task Force provided policy and legislative recommendations to Council on COVID-19 economic recovery, resilience and vision, support for business and industry, and support for the local economy overall.
Updates
April 27, 2021
Economic and financial supports and security remain top priorities for residents, businesses, organizations and Strathcona County. Over the past year, the task force implemented different ways to address these priorities and identify gaps and key learnings to best support economic and financial stability, including:
- Supporting and attracting local businesses through virtual webinars, relaunch tools, business directories and targeted campaigns
- Policy adjustments to support business re-openings
- Investing in new energy and petrochemical opportunities with Alberta’s Industrial Heartland Association
- Establishing the Industrial Heartland Incentive Tax Exemption Bylaw to attract more industrial projects
- Regional collaboration on sector development, economic lead generation, infrastructure projects for federal stimulus funding
- Intermunicipal collaboration initiatives with Fort Saskatchewan, Sturgeon County, Bruderheim and Beaver County
- Partnerships and and campaigns to attract people and encourage economic stimulation
- An affordable housing estimate completed in partnership with Heartland Housing Foundation and the Social Framework Leadership Table
- Reviewing market affordability and opportunities to support housing needs
- Utility and tax deferrals, reduced payments and re-payment plans
Next steps
Strathcona County will continue the work initiated under the task forces, including:
- Supporting developer investments in the community
- Implementing the Triage Business Retention and Expansion program
- Exploring options for ongoing implementation of the foreign direct investment strategy
- Working with large industrial proponents in the County to assess available economic diversification programs and gaps
- Continuing to work with community partners to work with community partners to address Housing Needs and Demand Assessment Report, and develop a community-led approach to affordable housing
- Exploring alternative funding options with community partners to support the Community Cares program
Read the April 27, 2021 final report in full: Task force final report - April 27, 2021 (518.1 KB)
Read the February 23, 2021 progress report in full: Task force progress report - February 23, 2020 (162.8 KB)
Read the November 24, 2020 progress report in full: Task force progress report - November 24, 2020 (157.7 KB)
Learn some of the ways Strathcona County and the community are adapting to and responding to COVID-19.
Members
| Members | Status |
| Brian Botterill | Regular Voting |
| Robert Parks | Regular Voting |
| Bill Tonita (Chair) | Regular Voting |
| Rod Frank | Ex-officio |
Member terms commenced on May 12, 2020 and continue throughout the term of the task force.
2021 Meetings
| Date | Time | Agenda |
| Jan 11, 2021 | 9 am | ERV Task Force Agenda 2021 01 11 (230.5 KB) |
| Feb 8, 2021 | 9 am | ERV Task Force Agenda 2021 02 08 (47.6 KB) |
| March 8, 2021 | 9 am | ERV Task Force Agenda 2021 03 08 (47.1 KB) |
2020 Meetings
| Date | Time | Agenda |
| May 29, 2020 | 1:30 pm | ERV Task Force Agenda May 29, 2020 (63.1 KB) |
| June 10, 2020 | 1 pm | Work Plan Session |
| July 17, 2020 | 2 pm | ERV Task Force Agenda July 17, 2020 (605.7 KB) |
| Sep 28, 2020 | 1 pm | ERV Task Force Agenda September 28, 2020 (48.0 KB) |
| Oct 19, 2020 | 9 am | ERV Task Force Agenda 2020 10 19 (394.5 KB) |
| Nov 9, 2020 | 9 am | ERV Task Force Agenda 2020 11 09 (391.9 KB) |
| Dec 18, 2020 | 9 am | ERV Task Force Agenda 2020 12 18 (975.6 KB) |
Planning documents
COVID-19 Economic Resilience and Vision Task Force Powerpoint Presentation (1.5 MB)
Workplan COVID-19 Economic Resilience and Vision Task Force (563.3 KB)