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Congratulations on the inaugural issue of Rebuilding Fort McMurray magazine! This exciting publication comes at a time when our region is entering a new phase in our recovery following the most expensive natural disaster in Canadian history. In May 2016, the Horse River fire tore through our community, forcing the evacuation of approximately 88,000 residents and consuming thousands of homes and structures. When the threat to the community had finally subsided, 2,579 dwelling units had been destroyed, including apartment buildings, condos, duplexes, townhomes and single-family homes. Another 92 non-residential structures, such as hotels, airport facilities, storage areas and oil and gas industry lodgings, were also lost. Across our community, in the neighbourhoods of Abasand, Beacon Hill, Timberlea, Wood Buffalo and Waterways, as well as in the hamlets of Anzac, Draper, Gregoire Lake Estates and Saprae Creek, there is high demand for a wide range of construction services. The Conference Board of Canada expects more than 2,500 new homes to be built, in addition to the work that will be required to repair partially damaged structures. In fact, they put the cost of repairing both total loss and damaged structures at $2.4 billion. For a community that has been deeply impacted by the sustained drop in oil prices, the rebuild will provide an important boost to the economy. According to the Conference Board of Canada, melissa blake Message from the Mayor of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

$5.3 billion will be re-invested in Alberta during the recovery phase. This will provide tremendous opportunities across the construction industry and valuable local employment. The rebuilding effort is expected to produce thousands of jobs in the province, including over 5,000 in the Fort McMurray area. While this level of building activity brings positive economic effects, it also presents unique challenges. This incredible demand for building and repair services will essentially mean a return to the levels of construction experienced during the oil boom times when 800 to 1,000 homes a year were completed. However, this time, instead of starting with greenfield communities and building entirely new subdivisions, construction will take place in existing city neighbourhoods. As a result, a great deal of work will take place where residents are already living, working and playing — all while additional crews are working to re-open schools and buildings, and re-landscape parks and green spaces. The months ahead will be busy, productive ones across our community. On behalf of council and all residents, I want to congratulate the Fort McMurray Construction Association on Rebuilding Fort McMurray magazine. Above all, as we continue to progress in the historic rebuilding of our community, I want to thank you for working so hard to help us rebuild a community that is better than ever.

Melissa Blake Mayor

Fort McMurray Construction Association 14