Strathcona County leading the way on national plan to advance energy sector

The following is a statement from Mayor Rod Frank:

“Strathcona County continues to plan for short and long-term recovery from the impacts of the pandemic, depressed energy markets and COVID-19 recession.

Residents and businesses have been hit hard, and Strathcona County Council is advocating for solutions to the challenges residents and industries are facing.

Recently, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) has adopted Strathcona County’s resolution to advocate to the federal government on behalf of 2,000 municipalities nationwide.

FCM will advocate to the federal government to establish national utility corridors including pipelines from coast to coast to coast, repeal or amend Bill C-48 and establish a federal assessment process on major projects.

The results from these projects will further our efforts to cultivate economic diversification, environmental responsibility and build strong communities to meet residents’ diverse needs.

For example, the Heartland Petrochemical Complex will convert locally-sourced propane into polypropylene, which can be used in hundreds of products. This plant will create jobs and diversify our economy.

I look forward to the results of this resolution, and seeing the positive impact it creates on municipalities, job creation, residents and smart, sustainable growth.”

The resolution can be read on the FCM website at FCM resolutions.

Set in the centre of Alberta’s energy and agricultural heartland, Strathcona County is a thriving, successful and vibrant community of over 98,000 residents. Strathcona County is made up of the urban area of Sherwood Park and a large adjacent rural area of farms, acreages and smaller hamlets. It is home to 75 per cent of hydrocarbon processing in Western Canada. Strathcona County is a leader in environmental conservation, and 55 per cent of its land is within the UNESCO Beaver Hills Biosphere. With a focus on economic, governance, social, cultural and environmental sustainability, Strathcona County is committed to balancing the unique needs of its diverse community.

- 30 -

Contact: Strathcona County Communications, 780-410-6595