M.D. will champion oil and gas industry at FCM

Five M.D. of Bonnyville councillors heading to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ annual conference next week in Quebec City will try to champion oil and gas development.

Reeve Greg Sawchuk said they want to make their voice heard about the energy industry.

“We really want to make a strong statement coming out of there that this industry is supported across the country. This is going to be telling as to where the FCM goes in the future.

“I know within our own association [RMA] that if we don’t get strong support at the federal level that many may be pulling their memberships,” said Sawchuk.

T-shirts from Canada Action that M.D. councillors are bringing to FCM.

The federal conference sees the nation’s urban and rural municipalities come together for workshops and dialogue with politicians from across the country.

It will be a chance for the M.D., along with other members of the Rural Municipalities of Alberta and Alberta Urban Municipalities Association to talk with politicians across the aisle on oil and gas.

“We’ve got a booth down there and we’ll be talking to other municipalities across the country from those who are in support of oil and gas development and those who are somewhat opposed.

“We hope to see some City of Victoria councillors and maybe Montreal or Toronto, and have a chance to have an open discussion about the benefits this industry provides to all of Canada.”

Earlier in the month, Medicine Hat decided in a controversial decision to boycott the FCM conference because it’s in Quebec.

The conference takes place May 30-June 2.