Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo

Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo is an economic engine for Alberta and Canada. It’s a wilderness paradise, with over 100,000 square kilometers to explore – an area larger than Kentucky or Indiana. And it’s home to a highly skilled workforce, with strong Indigenous roots and people from over 90 countries working together.

Powering Canada and the World

Over 65% of Canada’s crude oil is extracted from our oil sands. We hold most of the Athabasca Oil Sands, a geological deposit with the third-largest recoverable oil reserves in the world. More than 3.3 million barrels of oil equivalent are produced daily, supported by a network of logistics, transportation, manufacturing, construction, and hospitality businesses. Production is growing, with plans for several expansions or new projects in development.

The development of the oil sands is a story of innovation. Developing a commercially viable crude oil product from the sandy deposits didn’t stop with the first breakthroughs. Continued innovation has improved the efficiency, sustainability, and quality of these processes.

Connected to Global Markets

FMWB provides superior road, rail, and air connections. Fort McMurray International Airport offers regular non-stop flights to destinations like Calgary, Edmonton, and Toronto. The region’s major highway, Alberta 63, is a high-quality twinned north/south route. Announced provincial investments to improve east/west routes to British Columbia and Saskatchewan will unlock greater possibilities in the region.

Skilled, Friendly, and Hard-Working

Alberta has Canada’s highest labour force participation rate, and FMWB is leads the province for this metric. The regional population is over 106,000, with about three-quarters of people living in the immediate urban area. Skilled trades demand in key industries has encouraged the development of a highly skilled workforce. Keyano College is the region’s premier post-secondary institution and provides ongoing education and training.

FMWB is a welcoming community. Stories of workers arriving for a short-term contract but changing plans to put down long-term roots are common. High quality of life, a diverse community, family-friendly amenities, and a strong social fabric attract new arrivals each year.

Prime Opportunities for Key Industries

Alberta offers the lowest corporate tax rate in Canada, an advantage that is compounded by Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo’s proximity to strong industrial growth, available land, and skilled workforce.

Reliable utilities and our cool climate have recently attracted interest from data centres and other technology providers. Major new commercial developments are attracting new brands and retailers. As Alberta’s population continues to grow at a record pace, new local housing projects are being planned.

One of the biggest projects for FMWB will the Pathway Alliance carbon capture and storage network across northeast Alberta. Regulatory approval for the $16.5 billion project was secured in spring 2024, with planning for the next steps in the project underway. This project will unlock new opportunities for manufacturing, construction, and other sectors.

Local Partners to Help You Succeed

Our Business and Investment Attraction Team work closely with the municipality and local partners to deliver a smooth experience for new businesses and investors. Over the past few years improvements in permitting and processes have reduced wait times, and new incentives offer improved ROI for projects.

We look forward to working with site selectors on securing valuable opportunities in our region.