Province, municipality say Fort McMurray businesses getting 80% of rebuild

EDMONTON – The Alberta government says Fort McMurray employers have received four out of every five contracts to rebuild the fire-damaged community.

Economic Development Minister Deron Bilous says of the 532 contracts signed by the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, which includes the city of Fort McMurray, about 80 per cent are with local employers.

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READ MORE: Alberta says Fort McMurray firms to get preference on rebuilding contracts

Any business that is either locally owned or employs people in the Fort McMurray area is considered a local employer.

Bilous says businesses from outside the region are given contracts only if there are no local businesses to do the work.

READ MORE: Phased re-entry into Fort McMurray after wildfire to begin June 1 

He says these are usually for complex projects that require specific expertise not available locally.

The Fort McMurray Construction Association has complained that workers from the community are being overlooked for jobs, such as trucking supplies to the city.