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Fort Chipewyan
Clearwater
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Fort Chipewyan
Where We Are Today
Envision Wood Buffalo: Towards 250k
Fort Chipewyan
May 2008
Acknowledgments
Regional Council
Assessment and Taxation, RMWB
Community Liaisons, RMWB
Current Planning, RMWB
Family and Community Support Services, RMWB
Fort Chipewyan Municipal Office, RMWB
GIS, RMWB
Land Services, RMWB
Fort McMurray Historical Society
Fort McMurray Public Library
Keyano College
Northland District School Board
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Wood Buffalo Housing Development Corporation
Project Team
Long Planning and Policy, RMWB
Martin Frigo
Stuart Hastings
Erin O’Neill
Amanda Owens
Dillon Consulting Limited
Tara Steell
Sari Liem
Alex Taylor
Byron Lloyd
Envision Wood Buffalo: Towards 250k
Fort Chipewyan
May 2008
Table of Contents
1.
Page
Introduction..............................................................................................................................................1
2.
Population and Demographic Trends ..................................................................................................1
3.
Economy, Employment and Tourism..................................................................................................1
4.
Housing.....................................................................................................................................................3
5.
Land Use Pattern, Design and Sustainable Energy ............................................................................5
6.
Municipal Infrastructure .........................................................................................................................9
7.
Regional Transportation .......................................................................................................................10
8.
Government and Partnerships.............................................................................................................11
9.
Health and Safety...................................................................................................................................11
10.
Education................................................................................................................................................12
11.
Communication and Technology........................................................................................................13
12.
Natural Areas..........................................................................................................................................14
13.
Recreation, Parks and Culture .............................................................................................................15
14.
Finance ....................................................................................................................................................16
15.
Economy, Employment and Tourism Issues and Opportunities ..................................................16
16.
Population Growth, Housing, and Land Use Issues and Opportunities ......................................16
17.
Infrastructure and Regional Transportation Issues and Opportunities.........................................17
18.
Government and Partnerships, Health and Safety, and Education Issues and Opportunities..17
19.
Natural Areas, Recreation, Parks and Culture Issues and Opportunities .....................................18
20.
Communication and Technology Issues and Opportunities...........................................................18
References .........................................................................................................................................................29
List of Figures
Figure 1: Percentage of Workforce Employed, by Industry ......................................................................2
Figure 2: Housing by Dwelling Type, 2007 ..................................................................................................3
Figure 3: Homeownership...............................................................................................................................4
Figure 4: Communications Technology ......................................................................................................13
Envision Wood Buffalo: Towards 250k
Fort Chipewyan
May 2008
Appendix: Tables and Maps
Tables
Table 1: Historical Population for the Community from 1999-2006.......................................................21
Table 2: Forecasted Population Growth in Fort Chipewyan ....................................................................21
Table 3: Existing vs. Forecasted Labour Force, Males and Females .......................................................21
Table 4: Tourism Facilities and Events in Fort Chipewyan ......................................................................22
Table 5: Existing Land Use Inventory..........................................................................................................22
Table 6: Forecasted Development Inventory – Based on Minimum Lot Size Requirements..............23
Table 7: Water and Wastewater Infrastructure in Fort Chipewyan..........................................................23
Table 8: Services and Service Providers in Fort Chipewyan .....................................................................23
Table 9: Hamlet of Fort Chipewyan Expenditures 2007-2009 .................................................................24
Maps
Map 1: Natural and Man-made Constraints.................................................................................................26
Map 2: Existing Land Use ..............................................................................................................................27
Map 3: Community Context...........................................................................................................................28
Envision Wood Buffalo: Towards 250k
Fort Chipewyan
1. Introduction
This report provides an inventory and
assessment of current community assets
within Fort Chipewyan. The community
assets inventory and assessment has been
organized by theme areas. The thirteen theme
areas include:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
Population and Demographic Trends
Economy, Employment and Tourism
Housing
Land Use Pattern, Design and Sustainable
Energy
Municipal Infrastructure
Regional Transportation
Government and Partnerships
Health and Safety
Education
Communication and Technology
Natural Areas
Recreation, Parks and Culture
Finance
In addition, key issues and opportunities have
been identified for each theme area.
May 2008
2. Population and Demographic
Trends
The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo
(RMWB) has confirmed a forecasted growth
of 1,085 residents over the next 25 years in
Fort Chipewyan, bringing the total population
to 2,000 by the year 2030. This would require
a growth percentage of 3.3% per year.
Table 2, p. 21 in the Appendix illustrates the
forecasted population of Fort Chipewyan
between the years 2006 and 2030.
3. Economy, Employment and
Tourism
Public administration is an important part
of the local economy
Fort Chipewyan’s traditional economic base
was anchored in trapping, forestry, and
fishing.
Recently, public sector workers
dominate the local economy, employing 54%
(180 persons) of the total labour force, which
include public administration, education,
health care, and social assistance (see
Figure 1, p. 2). This can be accounted by the
strong government presence within the
community, including Parks Canada, Alberta
Sustainable Resource Development (SRD),
the Nunee Health Authority, Keyano College,
and the Athabasca Delta Community School.
Construction accounts for 10% of the
community’s workforce (35 persons).
Employing less than one tenth of the
workforce, retail trade and other services
accounts
for
13%
of
employment
(45 persons), while accommodation and food
services comprise 7% i . Fort Chipewyan’s
retail activity is centered on several
commercial facilities including general stores,
restaurants, a lodge, bulk fuel station, taxi
service, souvenir shop, and charter services. ii
Page 1
Envision Wood Buffalo: Towards 250k
Fort Chipewyan
May 2008
Figure 1: Percent of Workforce Employed by
Industry Sector
4%
3%
3%
6%
27%
54%
10%
13%
Public Sector Workers
Retail Trade & Other Services
Construction
Accommodation & Food Services
Mining, Oil & Gas extraction
Transportation & Warehousing
Manufacturing
Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
Compared to the region, a relatively low
proportion of labourers (6%) are employed in
the mining, oil and gas extraction sector. All
other industries form less than 5% of the
labour force, including transportation and
warehousing, administration and support,
other services, manufacturing, and arts,
entertainment and recreation iii .
Employment will remain strong
Though there is no oil sands development
occurring within the immediate area of Fort
Chipewyan, many residents who work for oil
sands companies and are transported between
Fort Chipewyan and the worksite by their
employers. Availability of labour will be
critical to meet the demand as the pace of
development in the oil sands will continue to
accelerate. The pace of growth will require
Fort Chipewyan to keep up with the growing
demands for housing, health care, education,
infrastructure and service, and hospitality.
There will be a high demand for skilled labour
such as trades, technical workers, teachers,
health care workers and unskilled labour in
the service sector. Table 3, p. 21 in the
Appendix presents Fort Chipewyan’s
forecasted labour force demands by industry.
In addition, the construction industry in the
RMWB (including residential, business and
commercial, industrial, engineering works, and
subdivision and development of land) is
expected to create over 3,668 new jobs,
Page 2
Envision Wood Buffalo: Towards 250k
Fort Chipewyan
averaging 11% growth between 2006 and
2011 iv .
May 2008
4. Housing
Housing type, size and ownership
The majority of the population lives in single
family houses, which accounts for 76% of the
housing mix (see Figure 2, below). Mobile
homes account for 23% and a small
proportion of the population reside in
townhouses (1%).
Overall, families are
younger in Fort Chipewyan and the average
size of a household is 3.0 persons, equivalent
for single-family homes and mobile homes v .
Comparatively, the average persons per
household in Alberta are 2.6 and in Canada
are 2.5 vi .
Fort Chipewyan is attractive for tourists
seeking culture and recreation
There are three tourism destinations in Fort
Chipewyan, including the Fort Chipewyan
Bicentennial Museum, the Anglican Church,
and the Catholic Church (see Table 4, p. 22
in the Appendix). While the museum is a
must-see for tourists, the churches remain
popular for their historical qualities. Though
the Catholic Church is shut down in the
winter, it remains open for special events.
The Mamawi Community Hall, in the northeast of Fort Chipewyan, is primarily used by
local residents.
Popular tourist activities in Fort Chipewyan
include dog sledding and ice fishing. Lake
Athabasca offers scenic vistas for tourists
year-round. During the time of writing this
report, no information was available on
revenue generated by tourism in Fort
Chipewyan and its surrounding area, or the
number of tourism visits.
Local events in Fort Chipewyan are held
throughout the year, drawing both local and
regional visitors, including the Fort
Chipewyan, Winter Carnival, Treaty Days,
Heritage Days, and the Fall Fair.
Figure 2: Housing by Dwelling Type,
2007
1%
23%
76%
Single Family
Mobile Home
Townhome
In Fort Chipewyan, 51% of housing units are
owned and 49% are rented, which represents
a much greater proportion of renters
compared to the regional average vii .
Homeownership in Fort Chipewyan has
fluctuated modestly, as illustrated in Figure 3,
p. 4. On average, between 1999 and 2006,
65.8% of residents owned their homes, and
34.2% of individuals rented homes. All of
Fort Chipewyan’s rental housing is in the
form of single-family homes.
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Envision Wood Buffalo: Towards 250k
Fort Chipewyan
May 2008
Percentage (%)
Figure 3: Homeownership in Fort Chipewyan
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Own Rent Own Rent Own Rent Own Rent Own Rent Own Rent
1999
2000
2002
2004
Year
2005
2006
Fort Chipewyan
Regional Average
Housing prices continue to remain stable
House prices have been growing at a pace
well above incomes, creating stressed
affordability conditions. According to the
Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation
(CMHC), housing costs should not exceed
30% of before-tax household income. In
Wood Buffalo, where the average salary is
$27/hour, housing affordability is concerning
for many families. People who do not work
in the petroleum industry may have even
greater
difficulties
finding
affordable
viii
Strong employment and
housing .
population growth in the Region, along with
development constraints and low vacancy
rates, created a strong demand for housing in
Fort Chipewyan. Notably, the community has
expressed a strong interest in lake-view
residential lots. As of January 10th, 2008, there
were no houses listed for sale or for rent in
Fort Chipewyan on the Multiple Listing
Services website ®. However, it
should be noted that most house sales in Fort
Chipewyan are conducted by word of mouth
due to the size of the community.
Fort Chipewyan needs more affordable
housing
There are very few affordable housing units in
Fort Chipewyan. The Wood Buffalo Housing
& Development Corporation (WBHDC) has
assumed the rental operation from the
Province for ten self-contained apartment
units for seniors in Ayabaskaw House; fifteen
assisted living lodge beds in Ayabaskaw
House; and four single family homes.
Currently, WBHDC is conducting a Needs
Assessment to determine the viability of a
supportive living facility. However, it ought
to be noted that the capital funding request
for the proposed development has not
received approval from the Ministry of
Municipal Affairs and Housing.
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Envision Wood Buffalo: Towards 250k
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May 2008
Although the projected housing mix may
reflect current trends for single family homes,
there will be a need for more affordable and
diversified housing in the form of multi-family
units.
Existing vs. Additional Housing
Housing
Units
The RMWB does not keep track of the
number of homeless in its rural communities.
Therefore, there is no information that
identifies the number of homeless in Fort
Chipewyan. Though Fort Chipewyan does
not have a homeless shelter, the Paspew
House, consisting of 5 beds, offers shelter and
care for abused women and children.
of
housing
Additional
358
5. Land Use Pattern, Design and
Sustainable Energy
Homelessness in Fort Chipewyan
Current reality
Chipewyan
Existing
366
in
Fort
Housing supply within Fort Chipewyan needs
to be sufficient to accommodate the growing
population, which will include permanent
long-term employees, temporary workers, and
the local population. This is particularly
important as housing prices rise.
Fort
Chipewyan’s strong preference for singlefamily homes is likely to continue. In the
Region, almost 2,000 multi-family dwellings
However, in Fort
have been built ix .
Chipewyan, multi-family dwellings have not
recently been developed.
Based upon the Municipality’s forecasted
population of 2,000, Fort Chipewyan
will require approximately 358 additional
homes, or 16 per annum, by 2030. This
projection embodies several assumptions. (1)
The population will grow at a constant rate of
3.31%; (2) Fort Chipewyan’s average
household size for a single family unit will
remain constant, at 3 persons per household;
and (3) a 0% vacancy rate is applied.
Fort Chipewyan has experienced stable
development
Land use and development in Fort Chipewyan
is guided by the Fort Chipewyan Area
Structure Plan (ASP) 1991, as well as The
Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo’s
(RMWB) Municipal Development Plan
(MDP). The MDP sets out a clear collective
vision for the region. The Fort Chipewyan
ASP provides direction for orderly growth
within Fort Chipewyan; however, it does not
mandate a separation of uses as in other parts
of the province.
The physical growth pattern for Fort
Chipewyan has been limited substantially by
physical constraints, the most important being
Lake Athabasca, which forms the south-east
coastal boundary of Fort Chipewyan. To the
west, the Rivière Des Rochers (a river delta)
blocks expansion and contributes to the
marshy and shallow conditions that are
present in the area. Fort Chipewyan is located
at the core of the system; the Athabasca River
drains into the 270 km long Lake Athabasca,
which in turn is drained through the Rivière
Des Rochers into the Peace River, and then
combines into the Slave River as part of the
Arctic Ocean water shed. In addition, large
areas of rock outcroppings from the Canadian
Shield can be found in and around Fort
Chipewyan, limiting the quantity of
developable land.
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Envision Wood Buffalo: Towards 250k
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May 2008
out following the amalgamation of the
Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo in
1995. Currently, only one house sits on the
designated lands.
There is still strong
community interest in potential development.
Fort Chipewyan, 1980
Fort Chipewyan is endowed with a rich
development history spanning over a century.
Fort Chipewyan has experienced little growth
since 1980. One notable exception is the
extension of Robert Drive in the East
Residential Area.
Land-use planning in the reserves is guided by
the Dog Head Indian Reserve No.218 and
Allison Bay Indian Reserve No.219
Community Plan.
The plan was
commissioned by the (then 435 members)
Cree Indian Band No. 201 in 1990. The
community plan describes the reserve lands as
generally undeveloped and unoccupied,
except for Dog Head, which has some singlefamily housing. Since 1990, Dog Head Indian
Reserve No. 218 and Allison Bay Indian
Reserve No. 219 have been developing.
Presently, the Dog Head Indian Reserve No.
218 consists of approximately 30 single family
homes, and Allison Bay Indian Reserve No.
219 consists of approximately 20 single family
homes.
Existing Land Use
Land uses within Fort Chipewyan consist
primarily of Hamlet Residential (HR),
Country
Residential
(CR),
Hamlet
Commercial (HC), Business Industrial (BI),
Parks and Recreation (PR), and Public Service
(PS). There is no Environmentally Protected
Area (EP) in Fort Chipewyan (see Table 5 1 in
the Appendix, p. 22).
Over an historical time period, six community
areas have been established in Fort
Chipewyan: (1) the Core Area; (2) East
Residential Area; (3) West Residential Area;
(4) New Residential Area; (5) Country
Residential Area; and (6) Highway
Commercial/Industrial Area.
Each area is identified by distinct land use
characteristics, and subject to different
policies representing local goals and planning
issues, as outlined in the Fort Chipewyan
ASP. The “New Residential Area,” outlined
in the provincial document, was not carried
There are a total of 479 lots in Fort
Chipewyan, and residential land uses account
for 62% of the land area, or 106.57 ha
(263.35 ac). There are 354 hamlet residential
lots averaging 0.16 ha (0.39 ac), and an
additional 23 country residential lots averaging
2.24 ha (5.53 ac). Inclusive of these figures,
Fort Chipewyan has 67 vacant hamlet
residential lots and 2 vacant country
residential lots.
1
Land Use information was determined by plotting the
centre of each parcel in order to determine its zoning.
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Envision Wood Buffalo: Towards 250k
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Employment lands comprise of nearly 12% of
Fort Chipewyan’s land area and include 21.6
hectares (53.68 acres).
Commercial and
industrial uses are located in the centre of
Fort Chipewyan.
There are five
Business/Industrial lots located within the
Core Area with 11 more lots found in the
north-west of Fort Chipewyan, forming the
Highway
Commercial/Industrial
Area.
Inclusive of these figures, there are 2 vacant
business industrial lots and 6 vacant hamlet
commercial lots. At the time of writing this
report, the ATCO Generation Station is
seeking approval under section 11 of the
Hydro and Electric Energy Act to construct a new
4.58 megawatt power plant approximately 800
metres south east of the existing airport
terminal.
Institutional uses, including municipal
services, are dispersed throughout Fort
Chipewyan and include two churches, a
cemetery, sewage lagoon, community hall,
elementary school, and fire station.
Park and Recreation uses are located along
Fort Chipewyan’s waterfront along Lake
Athabasca. A marina used by locals and
tourists can be found along the waterfront.
The majority of land within Fort Chipewyan
has not been subdivided and is owned by the
RMWB, the Government of Alberta, and
Indian and Northern Affairs. However, as a
whole, development is limited by physical
constraints.
May 2008
2. To reflect the nature of the community
and recognize traditional land uses,
3. To compile existing land use and
development policies which have been
adopted either formally or informally by
the Advisory Council, and
4. To recognize the new hamlet boundaries.
Residential,
commercial, and
business
industrial development in Fort Chipewyan has
exceeded the minimum lot size requirements
permitted by the Land Use Bylaw (LUB) (see
Table 6 2 in the Appendix, p. 23). The
average residential lot size is approximately
0.16 ha (0.39 ac) while the average vacant
residential lot is approximately 0.12 ha (0.29
ac). The LUB allows a minimum lot size of
0.05 ha (0.123 ac) for a hamlet residential lot
when
municipal
water
and
sewer
are available. The average business industrial
lot is approximately 0.74 ha (1.83 ac), while
the average hamlet commercial lot is 0.19 ha
(0.47 ac). Vacant hamlet commercial lot sizes
are comparable. The LUB allows a minimum
commercial lot of 0.046 ha (0.11 ac).
The minimum lot size requirements for
residential and employment land uses in the
LUB allows a considerable number of lots in
existing areas. The following table uses the
number of vacant lots within the existing
areas and illustrates a comparison between
future developments occurring on traditional
large lots vs. lots that meet the Municipality’s
minimum lot size requirements.
Approaches to growth
It is important for future growth and
development in Fort Chipewyan to be safe,
efficient, compatible and orderly. As per
Section 1.3, the goals of the Fort Chipewyan
ASP (1991) are:
1. To reflect the aspirations of the Advisory
Council and the Improvement District
respecting
future
development
opportunities in Fort Chipewyan,
2
LUB information obtained January 31, 2008.
Information is subject to change.
Page 7
Envision Wood Buffalo: Towards 250k
Fort Chipewyan
Number of Infill Lots
Land Uses
Traditional
Large Lots
Min. Lot Size
Requirements
Hamlet
Commercial (HC)
Hamlet Residential
(HR)
6
18
67
144
Growth that minimizes impacts on the
environment and uses existing infrastructure
as efficiently as possible should be promoted
in Fort Chipewyan..
Urban expansion area
The majority of undeveloped vacant land that
exists in Fort Chipewyan is owned by the
RMWB.
Approximately
796.16
ha
(1967.35ac) of land is zoned Urban
Expansion. Approximately 388.37 ha (959.65
ac) of land in Fort Chipewyan is allocated for
future residential use, while 9.7 ha (23 ac) is
allocated for employment lands such as
Business Industrial and Hamlet Commercial
(see Table 6 in the Appendix, p. 23).
As previously identified, the 388 ha (959 ac)
of residential land is based on the subtraction
of 50% from the total urban expansion area
for transportation, parks and recreation,
public service, commercial land requirements
and industrial land requirements.
If
residential development occurs on hamlet
residential lot sizes, the urban expansion areas
can accommodate up to 2,427 homes, which
far exceeds the required 358 homes needed to
meet population growth (see Table 6 in the
Appendix, p. 23). Given the amount of land
available in the urban expansion area, each
future residential lot can afford to be as large
as 1 ha (2.5 ac) in size.
Forecasts for employment lands, including
business industrial and commercial land uses
are based on policies in the Fringe Area
Development Assessment. Using a ratio of
4.3 ha of industrial land per 1,000
(population), 43 business industrial lots are
forecasted in the urban expansion area while
May 2008
24 commercial lots are projected (using a
standard of 60 square feet per person). This
figure represents total commercial land
requirements based on forecasted population
and includes parking, landscaping, setbacks,
and other requirements. Both estimates were
calculated using the Municipality’s minimum
lot size requirements.
Number of Lots in Urban Expansion Area
Land Uses
Traditional
Large Lots
Min. Lot Size
Requirements
Business Industrial
(BI)
Hamlet
Commercial (HC)
Hamlet Residential
(HR)
11
43
6
24
2,427
6935
Though most of the vacant land within Fort
Chipewyan is zoned Urban Expansion, only
some portions are economically serviceable
and do not suffer from the aforementioned
physical and man-made restraints. The most
significant of these portions is the new
Residential Area highlighted in the ASP.
According to the Fort Chipewyan Residential
Land Use Study (1986), the site was
considered the best among three areas
considered for residential development.
Further analysis would need to be undertaken
to identify the amount of developable land
that is not constrained by physical constraints.
Identified Future Development Areas
In the Fort Chipewyan ASP, only
Development Area B was designated for
future development to permit residential uses.
Though the development was not carried
through by the Region in the aftermath of the
amalgamation, there is still strong community
interest in the proposal. The plan was to
include the construction of 130 lots; 50 in
phase 1, and an additional 80 to follow
thereafter. The ASP introduced four policies
for the area which designated it as the major
new
residential
development
area.
In addition, the policies specified that the final
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Envision Wood Buffalo: Towards 250k
Fort Chipewyan
design should provide adequate lot widths,
proper siting of dwellings on lots and the
retention of natural vegetation.
Any future expansion in Fort Chipewyan will
most likely follow a plan similar to that
proposed for the New Residential Area. At
the time of writing this report, information
was not available regarding the number of lots
in future development areas.
May 2008
The water treatment system controls the total
output of the system. The storage capacity of
the raw water storage pond is sufficient for
approximately two months usage. The two
month storage is necessary to provide water
during the spring breakup period and after
severe storms xi . The water treatment plant
has a capacity for 1,200 people. Based on
population forecasts, the plant will need to be
reviewed by the year 2016 when it reaches
capacity.
Fringe area developments and influences
Given the relative isolated nature of Fort
Chipewyan, there is little in the way of
immediate external development influences.
Fort Chipewyan’s proximity to Wood Buffalo
National Park means that any alteration to the
Park infrastructure would have an affect on
the community. For example, though the
park was established in 1922, the southern
portion of the park (closest to Fort
Chipewyan) was added in 1926, following
guarantees from the federal government that
“any person” hunting or trapping would have
access to the annexed portion of the park x . In
addition, an all-weather road to Fort Smith
would most likely make use of the existing
winter road through the park. Currently,
management of the Wood Buffalo National
Park is located out of Fort Smith in the
Northwest Territories.
Sustainable Development
There are currently no proposed eco-friendly
developments for Fort Chipewyan.
6. Municipal Infrastructure
Municipal servicing in Fort Chipewyan is
provided by the RMWB. Construction on
Fort Chipewyan’s water supply system began
in 1981, and was completed in 1983. The
system includes a gravity intake from Lake
Athabasca, intake Pump house, raw water
transmission main, raw water storage pond,
two ultra slow sand filtration ponds,
chlorination, and a distribution pump house.
The sewage system was constructed at the
same time as the water system. The removal
and treatment of sewage is accomplished by
service connections to approximately 200
households, gravity collection mains, three
pumping stations, a force main, and a two-cell
anaerobic lagoon. The combined volume of
both cells is 26,800 m3 (see Table 7 in the
Appendix, p. 23). The sewage lagoon is sized
to provide a retention time of 18 days xii .
There is a scheduled $10 million wastewater
upgrade in 2008, which has capacity to service
a population of 1,321. Based on population
forecasts, the lagoon will need to be reviewed
and expanded by the year 2016 when it
reaches capacity.
The current landfill operates on a trench
system on reserve land. A new “cell type”
landfill is anticipated to open this year on
municipal property1.
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7. Regional Transportation
McDermont Avenue is the main paved road
through Fort Chipewyan which leads to the
airport. Although there is no bus service, a
handi-transit service operates in Fort
Chipewyan. Taxicab services are the only
other means of transportation other than
personal vehicles.
Fort Chipewyan is heavily dependent on air
transportation. Fort Chipewyan is served by
the Fort Chipewyan Airport (airport code:
YPY), with regular Air Mikisew service to
Fort McMurray, as well as charter services.
The airport is maintained by the Region with
funding provided by Transport Canada. The
airport terminal is owned by the RMWB and
is staffed by four people, who maintain the
5,000ft long runway1.
In the summer months, Fort Chipewyan may
be accessed by boat from Fort McMurray and
Fort Fitzgerald.
A barge navigates the
Athabasca River to Fort Chipewyan
approximately four times a year. A winter
road from Fort McMurray to Fort Chipewyan
(50,000 kg limit) is open from December to
March depending on weather conditions xiii .
During the winter, a Diversified bus runs to
Fort McMurray and back once a week. Fort
Chipewyan also has a winter road to Fort
Fitzgerald and Fort Smith.
There is strong community support for the
construction of an all-weather road between
Fort Smith and Fort Chipewyan xiv . The lack
of an all-weather road to supply centres
creates cost and scheduling impacts since
most heavy construction materials must be
taken in over the winter road or flown in
during the summer building period.
In 2006, the Government of Alberta informed
the federal government that they supported an
all-weather road from Fort Chipewyan to Fort
Smith.
Alberta
Infrastructure
and
Transportation indicated that in order to start
the project, several requirements would need
May 2008
to be fulfilled. These include: (1) an agreement
with the federal government; (2) the selection
of a preferred road alignment; and (3) the
assessment of the project’s priority. The
cooperation of the federal government is
essential as the route would most likely make
use of the existing winter road through Wood
Buffalo National Park. Currently, there is no
money allocated for the project in Alberta’s
three year capital plan.
In 1989, a report was commissioned by the
Province to determine options for crossing
the Slave River. Most likely, a road alignment
north of Fort Chipewyan would follow the
east side of the Rivière Des Rochers and cross
the Slave River shortly after the Rochers flows
into it.
Possibly the most important
consideration will be which side of Wood
Buffalo National Park’s “loop road” Parks
Canada would want to use. Given the strict
regulations regarding road construction in
national parks, the work would be
expensive xv .
In the summer of 2006, the Northern
Transportation Company Limited (NTCL)
sailed a barge from Hay River, situated on the
southern shore of the Great Slave Lake in the
Northwest Territories to Fort McMurray.
The impetus for the test was to demonstrate
the feasibility of barging heavy equipment and
modules down the Slave River through the
Peace-Athabasca Delta (located on the
southwestern edge of Fort Chipewyan) and
down the Athabasca River to companies in
the oil sands. The ultimate route would mean
shipping goods from Asia across the Pacific
Ocean, through the Bearing Strait, and then
continuing through the Mackenzie Delta
down to the Great Slave Lake and finally to
Fort McMurray xvi . If realized, the proposed
routing could bring substantial economic
benefits to the communities located along the
proposed barge route, including Fort
Chipewyan.
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8. Government and Partnerships
Fort Chipewyan is located in Ward 2 within
the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.
Ward 2 includes Fort Chipewyan, Fort
MacKay, and Fort Fitzgerald. Currently, the
Councilors for this ward are Sonny Flett and
David Allen Blair, elected to Council in
October 2007. Services and service providers
in Fort Chipewyan are listed in Table 8 in the
Appendix, p. 23.
Services in Fort Chipewyan
Services in Fort Chipewyan are provided by
multiple agencies, including the RMWB, who
provides fire protection; the Nunee Health
Authority provides health care; the RCMP
provides policing; and Keyano College and
the Northland School Division provide
education.
Existing Partnerships
The Community Action Plan Committee is a
partnership between locals and the
government.
The committee’s focus is
accessing
funds
from
the
Alberta
Government for local health and social
programs.
9. Health and Safety
Health care in Fort Chipewyan is provided by
the Nunee Health Authority, whose mandate
is to “represent the health and health-related
needs of the residents of Fort Chipewyan to
all levels of government; and to ensure the
residents are provided with an equal
opportunity to access and maintain the same
type, level and quality of health care and
health-related services as those available to all
other Albertans and Canadians. xvii ”
The Authority was established in 1990 with
one full-time employee. The Fort Chipewyan
Community Health Accord was signed in
1993, and the Isabel and Noel McKay Healing
Centre, which houses the Authority, was
May 2008
completed shortly thereafter in 1995. In 1998,
the Authority signed the Memorandum of
Understanding and the Health Services
agreement with Alberta Health in order to
deliver new and enhanced services to the
residents of Fort Chipewyan.
Nunee Health operates a nursing station that
provides the following services: treatment,
emergency care, referral to appropriate
disciplines, pre-natal assessment, women’s
health, lab and X-ray services, men’s health,
diabetic
management,
follow-up
appointments, palliative care, foot care,
teaching/counseling,
and
medication
xviii
dispensing and delivery . The Station is
open Monday to Friday, from 8:00 – 5:00, and
is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week xix .
Nunee Health also offers programs to
residents including: a sexual abuse healing
program, tobacco reduction, residential school
healing, alcoholics anonymous, and grievance
support. The Centre is available to all
members of the community. The aim of the
Wellness Centre is to promote the wellness of
all residents, including physical, spiritual,
emotional, and mental aspects of health xx .
In addition, Nunee Health offers various
homecare services such as bathing and
dressing, foot care, palliative care, bloodwork, and the delivery of medications. For
the benefit of public health, Nunee Health
provides baby clinics, prenatal classes,
immunizations, school dental health, TB
surveillance, and mammograms xxi . Lastly,
Telehealth provides services for patients who
call from home seeking medical advice.
In November of 2007, the Nunee Health
Authority released a water sediment study that
concluded that contaminants such as arsenic,
mercury
and
polycyclic
aromatic
hydrocarbons (PAHs) are higher than normal
for safe consumption, particularly in the fish
The
from surrounding water bodies xxii .
findings contradicted a study launched by
Alberta Health and Wellness one year earlier
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which reported that there was no unusual
number of diseases in Fort Chipewyan. In
response, studies are being planned by Alberta
Environment and Environment Canada. In
addition, Alberta Health and Wellness and
Health Canada are also looking methods to
improve knowledge of the area xxiii .
May 2008
10. Education
Elementary and Secondary
Serving Fort Chipewyan
Schools
Fort Chipewyan belongs to Northland School
Division No. 61. xxv
Currently Fort
Chipewyan has one school – Athabasca Delta
Community School (ADCS) offering
kindergarten to grade 12. This school serves
Fort Chipewyan exclusively. The school had
an enrollment in 2006-2007 of approximately
227 pupils xxvi . The school has 19 teachers and
13 para-professionals on staff. Junior and
senior students at ADCS can enroll in
industrial arts, home economics/food studies
and computer courses. Daily physical activity
is offered for students in grades 1 to 10.
Police services are provided by five full-time
rural constables that serves the entire
community. Fort Chipewyan has one fire
station and fire protection is provided by a
group of 30 volunteer fire fighters who
provide emergency services. The current ratio
of fire fighters to residents is 1:30. There are
no standards per-capita for firefighters;
however, the Fire Department follows
standards for safety code officers and utilizes
a response time / zone standard of 8 minutes
for medical calls and 10 minutes for fire
response xxiv .
Social services located in Fort Chipewyan
include counseling and youth programs.
FCSS provides youth and senior services
(including some in-home care) and support
for community events. Four FCSS staff
members are located in the community. The
HUB program does not operate out of Fort
Chipewyan.
Community Colleges
Keyano College operates an adult learning
centre in Fort Chipewyan. Credit instruction
is offered primarily in the adult upgrading
programs of Adult Basic Education and
College Preparation. In addition, locals can
use distance education learning offered
through the Alberta North initiative. Keyano
is also the hosting authority for the Fort
Chipewyan Adult Learning Council, which
manages the literacy program in the
community, and offers general interest and
professional development courses such as
computer
skills,
sewing,
business
communications,
and
Cree
language
courses xxvii .
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The percentage of students in Fort
Chipewyan who complete high school is low
compared to the Alberta average of 70% xxviii .
The following identifies the number of
students who graduated from high school
from Athabasca Delta Community, between
the years 1997 and 2002. During the time of
writing this report, no additional information
was available on the number of high school
graduates between 2003 and 2007.
High School Graduates from Athabasca
Delta Community School xxix
Year
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
Graduates
2
2
0
0
3
1
Libraries
The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo
currently does not offer Book Mobile or
library services in Fort Chipewyan. The only
library in the community is located at the
Keyano College Campus.
11. Communication and Technology
Communications infrastructure and access to
services and information is readily available in
Fort Chipewyan. Mail is delivered daily to the
Fort Chipewyan Canada Post Office.
Although the community has no accessibility
to cable television, over 90% of the
population subscribe to satellite television
connection.
May 2008
long distance calls within town xxx . Access to
telephone, mail and television is, at a
minimum, comparable to Alberta averages.
However, access to the internet in Fort
Chipewyan is significantly under-serviced and
is available to only 35% of the population,
lower than the 70% average in Alberta (refer
to Figure 4, p. 13). For comparison, in
Alberta, 52% of internet users at home are
connected by cable, while 43% are connected
by telephone (dial-up) (2005). xxxi High speed
access is available through SuperNet (a
Government of Alberta initiative to create an
affordable broadband network equally
accessible to every community across the
province) at the RCMP Station, Athabasca
Delta High School, Keyano College, and
other government buildings. Fort Chipewyan
is the most remote community connected to
SuperNet, and as such, providing this service
presented a formidable engineering challenge
due to fiber-optic facilities being incompatible
with the wet soil conditions and
environmental concerns of the community.
Ultimately, a high bandwidth microwave radio
had to be utilized. The connection itself
commences with a fiber optic cable from Fort
McMurray to Fort MacKay. From Fort
MacKay connectivity then transitions to
wireless with a 62 km microwave link to the
Birch Mountain repeater. Finally, the signal is
transmitted over a 121 km wireless link from
the Birch Mountain repeater to Fort
Chipewyan. This is believed to be the longest
wireless link of its kind in Alberta xxxii .
All residents in Fort Chipewyan have access
to landline telephone service provided by
Telus. The company is also planning a $1.6
million investment to bring cellular coverage
to the community by March 2008, citing
community interest and the drop in the price
of technology. The plan calls for a new cell
tower to be installed, and although the service
will not be continuous (i.e. will not follow the
winter road) residents will be able to make
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May 2008
Average (%)
Figure 4: Communications Technology
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Telephone
Cellular
Internet
Alberta Average
Fort Chipewyan
Aggressive population growth demands
enhanced
telecommunications
and
infrastructure
Fort Chipewyan has witnessed, and will
continue to experience, population growth
over the next twenty years and, with that
growth, will require increasing demands for
telecommunications technologies and related
infrastructure. Careful planning is required to
ensure adequate services are available.
12. Natural Areas
Fort Chipewyan is rich in natural features
The southeast boundary of Fort Chipewyan is
defined by the shores of Lake Athabasca. The
Riviere des Rocher effectively marks Fort
Chipewyan’s limit of westerly urban
expansion. The Peace-Athabasca Delta to the
southwest is the largest inland delta in the
world. Fort Chipewyan is located in Alberta’s
Canadian Shield Region, also called the
Precambrian Shield, or the Laurentian Plate.
Some of the oldest rock on Earth is exposed
in the area via outcroppings of Precambrian
granite scraped cleaned by the Ice Age glaciers
that retreated 100,000 years ago.
The
underlying bedrock of the region determines
the diverse vegetation of the region by
creating dry, soil-poor highlands intermixed
with shallow marsh and sparse open
forest xxxiii .
Jack Pine forests cover much of the uplands,
while along Fort Chipewyan’s Athabasca
Shoreline, vast sand dunes grade into pine
forest. Lake Athabasca’s granite headlands
and sand beaches make a home for the
Peregrine Falcons and Golden Eagles that
nest on granite cliffs. In winter, the Barren
Ground Caribou, Arctic Fox and Willow
Ptarmigan occasionally find their way south
into the area xxxiv .
Historical,
Archaeological,
and
Paleontological Resources Inventory
Fort Chipewyan is Alberta’s oldest settlement,
and as such it is rich in historical sentiment.
The historical Catholic and Anglican churches
are still used by the community today. The
Dog Head and Allison Bay Reserves are rich
in archeological resources characteristic of
aboriginal communities. In addition, Wood
Buffalo National Park features significant
archeological sites.
Man-Made Disturbances
Human activity in the Fort Chipewyan area
has contributed to the physical constraints
that may limit future urban expansion.
Manmade constraints include the land around
the reserves owned by Indian and Northern
Affairs. Despite community interest in
developing the land, it is generally inaccessible
for purchase by the general public. Also,
buffer zones exist around the ATCO
Generation Station (due to noise) in the
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Envision Wood Buffalo: Towards 250k
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May 2008
north-east and the Sewage Treatment Plant in
the northern part of Fort Chipewyan (refer to
Natural and Man-Made Constraints Map in
the Appendix, p. 26). Fort Chipewyan is also
confined by First Nations communities at the
southwest and northeast end, which further
limit land expansion opportunities.
6,200 visitors in 1994. The Park affords
protection to the largest population of wild
bison in North America and is the nesting
place for the internationally threatened
Whooping Crane. The Park keeps has 32 fulltime employees, including a resident
superintendent xxxvi .
Effects of Climate on Infrastructure
The community also has two playgrounds,
one baseball diamonds, an outdoor hockey
The harsh climate defines the community.
Access to the community is dependent on
winter roads – a delay in establishing these
roads can cause supply disruptions.
Conversely, access to the community is mainly
limited by air-travel during the summer
months.
Existing Environmental
Systems and Policies
Management
An Environmental Management System
(EMS) is based on land use policies aimed at
the protection and conservation of
environmentally sensitive areas. There are no
EMS’s built into the Fort Chipewyan ASP.
However, it should be noted that Wood
Buffalo National Park operates under
comprehensive environmental management
policies. For example, a zoning plan has
designated the bulk of the park as social
preservation (Zone I) or wilderness (Zone II).
Special preservation areas include the
Whooping Crane nesting habitat and a bison
grazing and calving area in the PeaceAthabasca Delta xxxv .
13. Recreation, Parks and Culture
Recreation, Parks and Culture
Fort Chipewyan is a beautiful community with
a large waterfront. Fort Chipewyan is located
east of Wood Buffalo National Park, the
region’s only National Park. The park features
a visitor reception area in Fort Smith and Fort
Chipewyan. Wood Buffalo National Park was
inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1983.
The park is a regional tourist attraction, with
People and Culture
The RWMB encompasses the reserves and
traditional lands of five Treaty 8 First Nations
and six Métis locals. Located across the lake
from Fort Chipewyan is the largest First Nations
reserve in the region: the Athabasca Chipewyan
First Nations #463. In addition, the Métis Fort
Chipewyan Local #123 is situated in Fort
Chipewyan, as well as the Mikisew Cree First
Nation #461. Overall, 822 people, or 90% of the
population, is of aboriginal heritage in Fort
Chipewyan, the highest percentage in the
RMWB.
rink, and one community hall. Informal
walking trails are also located throughout the
community. In addition, there are many
cultural and heritage organizations in Fort
Chipewyan, including the Keewatinook
Community Society, Lakeside Youth Society,
Mikisew Elders, and Métis Association.
There are opportunities to develop more
integrated and developed trail systems around
the community in order to take better
advantage of lake vistas. The Parks and
Recreation land use district could be
expanded across the entire Lake Athabasca
shoreline
within
Fort
Chipewyan’s
boundaries.
Though the Wood Buffalo
National Park is currently run out of Fort
Smith, Fort Chipewyan could greatly benefit
from collaborative activities with the Park.
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Envision Wood Buffalo: Towards 250k
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14. Finance
The main source of revenue for the RMWB
from Fort Chipewyan is derived from
property taxes. Funding for projects and
services is also financed through grants and
loans to the RMWB by the provincial and
federal government. The Province does not
collect taxes on the oil sands projects until
they are in production, which may not occur
until at least 2009. In 2007, 16% of the
community’s revenues were obtained from
grants and loans, while 84% were obtained
from property taxes. In 2007, revenues from
property taxes totaled $99,205.05 from
commercial and residential property taxes,
which increased from $84,577.16 the previous
year. It is undetermined how much revenue
will be received from property taxes in the
coming years.
As illustrated in Table 9, p. 24 in the
Appendix, expenditures from operations and
maintenance projects for Fort Chipewyan will
cost the RMWB over $16.6 million between
2007 and 2009. This will include $6.3 million
in 2007, $4.2 million in 2008 and $6.1 million
in 2009.
15. Economy, Employment and
Tourism Issues and
Opportunities
Key Issues
• Compared to other communities in the
region, Fort Chipewyan has a relatively
low proportion of labourers (6%) who are
employed in the mining, oil and gas
extraction sectors.
Key Opportunities
• Fort Chipewyan has a diverse economic
base, particularly in public administration,
education, health care and social
assistance, which are underrepresented in
other rural communities in the Region.
May 2008
•
•
The amount of employment land that is
available may be adequate to meet Fort
Chipewyan’s labour demands.
Fort Chipewyan has a number of
attractive assets, including abundant
natural features, an attractive waterfront,
and recreational activities that contribute
to the recreation and tourism sectors of
the economy. These assets will be a draw
for residents in Fort McMurray seeking
recreation. Fort Chipewyan has a viable
opportunity to meet demand by marketing
themselves as an attractive waterfront
community that is rich in cultural heritage
and ecological beauty. Product areas for
tourists can include aboriginal cultural
heritage, ecotourism packages, fishing and
hunting, summer adventure and winter
adventures. The hospitality sector would
need to be strengthened to meet the
demand for mid-range accommodations
and
restaurants.
In
addition,
opportunities will exist for businesses to
operate tours, and programs and activities
for tourists.
16. Population Growth, Housing,
and Land Use Issues and
Opportunities
Key Issues:
• Under the projected growth rate, Fort
Chipewyan has more than sufficient
developable land to accommodate the
projected demand for residential and
employment lands over the next 20 years.
Approximately 358 housing units are
projected by 2030. However, there is
sufficient land within the existing area, as
well as in urban expansion areas to
accommodate upwards of 2,427 housing
units based on traditional hamlet
residential lot sizes. However, whether or
not development can occur under this
magnitude is dependent upon municipal
servicing and environmental constraints.
Municipal infrastructure is discussed
below.
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Envision Wood Buffalo: Towards 250k
Fort Chipewyan
Key Opportunities
• The Fort Chipewyan ASP (1991)
proposed a New Residential Area to be
developed in the northeast. There is
strong community interest in continuing
with
the
proposed
development.
Residents have shown support to the
proposed development should it ever
developed¹
• A Canada – Alberta Affordable Housing
Program and its Sustainable Remote
Housing Initiative has been established,
which dedicates $13.5 million to meet the
housing needs of Alberta’s remote
northern communities.
A total of
143 new affordable housing units will be
developed in the various communities in
Alberta, including Fort Chipewyan.
17. Infrastructure and Regional
Transportation Issues and
Opportunities
Key Issues
wastewater
• Current
water
and
infrastructure has capacity to serve
approximately 1,200 to 1,300 people,
which is insufficient to service the
forecasted population of 2,000 people.
However, growth is expected to occur
over the long term.
Municipal
infrastructure will need to be reviewed
and upgraded around the year 2016 to
meet the forecasted population target.
• Significant investments will be required to
pave roads in Fort Chipewyan. The target
population of 2,000 will generate
additional cars in the community.
Key Opportunities
• There is an opportunity to evaluate the
options and costs of constructing an all
weather road from Fort Chipewyan, either
South to Fort McMurray or North to Fort
Smith.
There is strong community
support for both proposals, and would
most likely increase tourist activity to Fort
Chipewyan. Community members feel
May 2008
•
that year-round access to supply centres is
a precondition for further development.
If realized, a proposed barge route from
the Arctic to Fort McMurray via the
Peace-Athabasca Delta, might bring
substantial economic benefits to Fort
Chipewyan.
18. Government and Partnerships,
Health and Safety, and
Education Issues and
Opportunities
Key Issues
• Although Fort Chipewyan has a strong
public sector presence, staff recruitment
and retention is still a challenge given the
size of Fort Chipewyan, its location, and
competition from other areas of the
Province. The schools boards, the health
authority, and to a large degree, Keyano
College are fully reliant on the Province to
fund their capital infrastructure. Current
funding formulas do not adequately serve
these agencies based on a low per capita
eligibility, and are not advantageous to the
younger population of the region. There is
also a chronic lack of recognition of the
extra demand that the shadow population
places on public services (especially
health).
• Access to educational services and
employment preparation skills is essential
for the younger generation in Fort
Chipewyan. Few students from Fort
Chipewyan complete high school, and for
those that do, educational attainment and
readiness for employment among high
school graduates is low. In addition, few
students in Fort Chipewyan obtain postsecondary education, which is required for
many jobs in the region. There will be a
need to develop community support
services that cater to youths. Human
capital investment, whether formal or on
the job training, enhances worker
productivity and thus leads to higher
wages. As the population grows, there
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Envision Wood Buffalo: Towards 250k
Fort Chipewyan
•
will be a need to develop job training and
employment assistance resources in Fort
Chipewyan. If these services are created,
the individuals accessing these services
will benefit by accumulating more human
capital and becoming more competitive in
the labor market.
Water quality has become a concern for
residents following a report conducted by
the Nunee Health Board Society. The
study examined water and sediment
quality indicators in the area of Fort
Chipewyan. Among its findings, the study
concluded that the residents of Fort
Chipewyan are exposed to higher levels of
some
contaminants
than
those
downstream.
Key Opportunities
• As Fort Chipewyan grows, partnerships
will become increasingly important given
Fort Chipewyan’s abilities to fund and
implement essential services. There are
industry-funded
Industry
Relations
Corporations (IRC’s) in each of the
communities, building capacity and
forming
a
focal
point
for
industry/community contacts. Industry
has provided a growing source of
Aboriginal employment and contract
opportunities. Partnerships between local
industry and the school board and Keyano
College have the opportunity to develop
basic skills and assist today’s youth to
enter the job market. There may also be
an opportunity for partnerships with other
communities within the RMWB to stretch
administrative and other resources.
19. Natural Areas, Recreation, Parks
and Culture Issues and
Opportunities
May 2008
•
•
long term sustainability.
Future
development should be accommodated in
a way that does not compromise Fort
Chipewyan’s natural environment and be
regulated in a manner that mitigates
environmental degradation.
Environmental Management policies
should be included in an ARP.
With a growing population there will be a
need to expand recreation opportunities
for residents. Fort Chipewyan does not
identify any recreational opportunities
beyond the Parks and Recreation land use
district along the waterfront.
Key Opportunities
• There are insufficient policies protecting
the Athabasca shoreline. An update to
the ASP should include policies that
strengthen environmental protection of
the lakefront in order to preserve its
natural beauty for future generations.
20. Communication and Technology
Issues and Opportunities
Key Opportunities
• Delivering enhanced service and access to
Fort Chipewyan is feasible.
Fort
Chipewyan has benefited from having
reliable access to public telephones and
dial-up internet access.
• Promoting community acceptance of
information
and
communications
technology and use of new technologies is
feasible in Fort Chipewyan. However,
because the population of Chipewyan is
low and the community is relatively
isolated, the servicing costs could be high.
Key Issues
• Growth will place mounting pressure on
Lake Athabasca and natural areas in and
around Fort Chipewyan. Care must be
taken to protect the lake and to ensure its
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May 2008
Appendix
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May 2008
TABLES
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May 2008
Table 1: Historical Population for the Community from 1999-2006
Year
Population
2006
2004
2002
2000
1999
915
1,146
1,012
1,036
1,020
Percentage
Change
-20.2%
13.2%
-2.3%
1.6%
Table 2: Forecasted Population Growth in Fort Chipewyan
Year
Population
2007
945
2008
977
2010
1,042
2012
1,113
2014
1,187
2016
1,267
2018
1,353
2020
1,444
2022
1,541
2024
1,645
2026
1,756
2028
1,874
2030
2,000
Table 3: Existing vs. Forecasted Labour Force, Males and Females
Existing
Labour
Industry
Force
Public Administration
85
Educational Services
45
Construction
35
Health Care & Social Assistance
35
Retail trade
30
Accommodation & Food Services
25
Mining, Oil & Gas extraction
20
Transportation & Warehousing
15
Administrative and support, waste
management and remediation
15
services
Other Services
15
Manufacturing
10
Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
10
Forecasted
Labour Force
186
98
77
77
66
55
44
33
33
33
22
22
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May 2008
Table 4: Tourism Facilities and Events in Fort Chipewyan
Facility
Fort Chipewyan Bicentennial Museum xxxvii
Activities
• Exhibits
• Artifacts
• Cultural Classes
Target Market
Regional
Anglican Church
Catholic Church
•
•
Regional
Regional
Events
Activities
Target Market
Heritage Days
• Community fish fry
• Dancing
Local
Winter Carnival
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Local
Fall Fair
Fishing Derby xxxviii
Table 5: Existing Land Use Inventory
Land Uses
Number
of Lots
Sightseeing
Sightseeing
Dancing
Contests
Skidoo races
Crafts
Vegetables
Artwork
Knitting
Face painting
Karaoke
Ice Fishing
competition in
Lake Athabasca
% of
Lot
Count
Business Industrial (BI)
16
3.34%
Hamlet Commercial (HC)
52
10.86%
Hamlet Residential (HR)
354
73.90%
Country Residential (CR)
23
4.80%
Parks and Recreation (PR)
12
2.51%
Public Service (PS)
22
4.59%
Area
11.831ha
(29.234 ac)
9.894ha
(24.45 ac)
55.048ha
(136.02ac)
51.53ha
(127.33 ac)
12.332ha
(30.47 ac)
28.99ha
(71.63 ac)
Local
Regional
(700-800 people)
% of
Area
Average Lot Size
(ha)
6.98%
0.74ha (1.83 ac)
5.83%
0.19ha (0.47 ac)
32.45%
0.16ha (0.39 ac)
30.38%
2.24ha (5.53 ac)
7.27%
1.03ha (2.55 ac)
17.09%
1.32ha (3.26 ac)
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Fort Chipewyan
May 2008
Table 6: Forecasted Development Inventory – Based on Minimum Lot Size Requirements
Land Uses
Min.Lot Size
Vacant Lots
Urban Expansion
Total Forecasted
Requirements
Lots
Business
Industrial (BI)
Hamlet
Commercial
(HC)
Hamlet
Residential (HR)
Country
Residential (CR)
Current
Vacant
Lots
Forecasted
Vacant
Lots
Urban
Expansion*
(ha)
(0.2ha)
2
1
8.6 ha**
(21.25 ac)
43
43
465 m2 (0.046
ha)
6
18
1.11ha***
(2.75 ac)
24
42
43
388.37ha
(959.65 ac)
2088
2131
89
388.37ha
(959.65 ac)
4315
4404
57
388.37ha
(959.65 ac)
2774
2831
144
388.37ha
(959.65 ac)
6935
7079
7
388.37ha
(959.65 ac)
388
395
Unserviced =
1860 m2 (0.186
ha)
Mun. water
only = 930 m2
(0.09 ha)
Mun. Sewer
Only = 1400
m2 (0.14 ha)
Mun water and
sewer = 560m2
(0.056 ha)
(1.0 ha)
67
2
Forecasted
Urban
Expansion
Lots
Table 7: Water and Wastewater Infrastructure in Fort Chipewyan
Infrastructure
Wastewater
Potable water
Facility
Two cell anaerobic
lagoon
Fort Chipewyan Water
Treatment Plant
Capacity xxxix
1,321 persons
1,200 persons
Table 8: Services and Service Providers in Fort Chipewyan
Service
Education (K to Grade 12)
Post Secondary Education
Police
Fire
Health Care
Social services
Provider
Northland School Division No. 61
Keyano College
RCMP (Province of Alberta)
Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo
Nunee Health Authority
Family & Community Support Services
Page 23
Envision Wood Buffalo: Towards 250k
Fort Chipewyan
May 2008
Table 9: Hamlet of Fort Chipewyan Expenditures 2007-2009
Year
2007
Expenditure
Excavating Safety Cage
Cost
$25,000
Airport Road Widening
$145,500
Airport Maintenance Garage
$4,090,000
Airport Perimeter Fencing
$583,445
Sewage Lagoon
$900,768
Lift Station #1 New Pumps
$100,000
Emergency Storage Tanks
$80,000
Landfill Building
$35,000
WTP Lab Addition
$339,806
2008
Sewage Lagoon
2009
Sewage Lagoon
$4,217,232
Total
$6,141,600
$10,850,000
Page 24
Envision Wood Buffalo: Towards 250k
Fort Chipewyan
May 2008
MAPS
Page 25
Envision Wood Buffalo: Towards 250k
May 2008
Fort Chipewyan
re
e
k
Fort Chipewyan - Natural and Manmade Constraints
ssi
Mi
on
C
FRASER
BAY

LAK E AT H A BAS C A
LEGEND
MAP 1
MAY, 2008
Hamlet Boundary

0
125
250
375
Metres
500
Fort Chipewyan
Area Structure Plan Boundary
Water
Constraints

Cemetery
Rivers/Streams
Page 26
Envision Wood Buffalo: Towards 250k
May 2008
Fort Chipewyan
re
e
k
Fort Chipewyan - Land Use
ssi
Mi
on
C
FRASER
BAY
LA KE AT H AB A SC A
LEGEND
MAP 2
MAY, 2008
Hamlet Boundary
Fort Chipewyan
Area Structure Plan Boundary
Water

0
125
250
Rivers/Streams
Land Use
Business Industrial
Country Residential
Hamlet Commercial
Hamlet Residential
375
Metres
500
Parks
Public Service
Urban Expansion
Page 27
Envision Wood Buffalo: Towards 250k
May 2008
Fort Chipewyan
re
e
k
Fort Chipewyan - Community Context
C
DR
on


FRASER
B AY
RM
Mc
DE
DR
Y
NR
HE
ADAM ST



HOWARD ST
D
EL
TA
D
R


OT
AV
E
RO
BE
RT
ssi
Mi
CARDINAL AVE
W
E
AV
LUC
D
R
PAQUE
TT
ST
EW
AR
T
McDONALD ST
MELLOR AVE
HERON AVE
FLETT ST
IE
YL
T



MERCREDI ST
IS







MacKENZIE AVE 
EVANS CRES





AS
ANDERSON ST
DANIEL ST
WOODMAN ST
E
E
AV LEPINE AVE




BR
UT
RT


E
LO
RO
BE
FARAUD AVE

YANT AV
E ST


TORANGEAU AVE
AVE
L A K E AT H A B A S C A
LEGEND
MAP 3
MAY, 2008

0
125
250




Bishop Piche School Site


Northlands School
Fort Chipewyan Area
Structure Plan Boundary
Community Hall




Nunee Health


Curling Rink
Water


Fire Hall
Fish Plant
Fort Chipewyan Lodge
Hamlet Boundary
Rivers/Streams
375
Metres
500
Road Network
Local
Facilities


Alberta Power



Arena








Multiplex
Municipal Office
Museum


Northern Store
Post Office
 R.C.M.P. Station







Ranger Station
Roman Catholic Mission
Sewage Lagoon
Sewage Lagoon Buffer
New Residential Area

Nursing Station


Water Treatment Plant
Page 28
Envision Wood Buffalo: Towards 250k
Fort Chipewyan
May 2008
References
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Government of Alberta (December 2006b) Investing in our Future – Responding to the Rapid
Growth of Oilsands Development.. Available online at: http://www.gov.ab.ca/home/395.cfm.
Accessed on: June 28, 2007.
Government of Alberta – Municipal Affairs Department (2007) 2007 Municipal Profiles.
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Accessed on: July 5, 2007.
Northland School Division. (2007). Northland School Division. Available online:
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Northern Lights Health Region. (2007). Clinics in Your Community. Available online:
http://www.nlhr.ca/Hospitals_Facilities/default.aspx.f. Accessed on: May 25, 2007.
Nunee Health Board Society. (2007). A Study of Water and Sediment Quality as Related to
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Partners in Protection. (May, 1999). FireSmart: Protecting Your Community from Wildfire.
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RMWB. (n.d.a). Community Placemaking Initiative. Available online:
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RMWB. (n.d.b). Emergency Management Municipal Emergency Plan For Anzac/Gregoire
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RMWB. (1998). The Woodland/Urban Interface Plan for Fort McMurray.
RMWB. (1999). Land Use Bylaw #99/059. Available online:
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Accessed on: April 12, 2007.
RMWB. (2000). Municipal Development Plan #00/005. Available online:
http://www.woodbuffalo.ab.ca/business/land_development/municipal_dev_plan.asp?subnav=
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RMWB. (2002). Hamlet of Fort Chipewyan – Area Structure Plan.
Page 29
Envision Wood Buffalo: Towards 250k
Fort Chipewyan
May 2008
RMWB. (July, 2003). Engineering Service Standards and Development Procedures. Available
online: http://www.woodbuffalo.ab.ca/residents/services+utilities/standards.asp?subnav=6.
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RMWB. (September, 2004). Parks and Outdoor Recreation Master Plan.. Available online:
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Plan.pdf. Accessed on: April 10, 2007.
RMWB. (2006a). Municipal Census – 2006.
RMWB (2006b) Working Together for Better Service Delivery: Rural Service Delivery and
Aboriginal Relations Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. Fort McMurray, AB. pp 7-11.
RMWB. (2007a). Capital Budget 2007.
RMWB. (2007b). Capital Budget 2007 – May 2007 update (internal document).
RMWB. (May 28, 2007c). Conversation with RMWB Library Staff. Personal Communication on
May 28, 2007.
RMWB. (June, 28, 2007d). GIS Division, Planning & Development Department – data inquiry.
RMWB. (2007e). Highway 63 / 881 Corridor Area Structure Plan.
RMWB. (2007f). Highway 63 / 881 Corridor Area Structure Plan Technical Report.
RMWB. (July 10, 2007g). Operations and Maintenance Department. Personal Communication
on July 10, 2007.
RMWB. (May, 2007h). Willow Lake News.
RMWB. (2007). Senior Administration
Statistics Canada www.statcan.ca
Fort Chipewyan http://www.woodbuffalo.ab.ca/visitors/wood_buffalo_communities/ftchip.asp?subnav=14
iii Statistics Canada www.statcan.ca
iv RMWB Labour Market News April 2007
v RMWB Census 2006
vi Statistics Canada www.statcan.ca
vii RMWB Census 2006
viii Based on wages from: http://www.alis.gov.ab.ca/wageinfo/
ix RMWB Census 2006
xThe Political Economy of Bison Management in Wood Buffalo National Park.
http://pubs.aina.ucalgary.ca/arctic/Arctic45-4-367.pdf
xi Community Plan, Doghead Indian Reserve No. 218 & Allison Bay Indian Reserve No. 219. (Jan. 1990). 2-13.
xii Community Plan, Doghead Indian Reserve No. 218 & Allison Bay Indian Reserve No. 219. (Jan. 1990). 2-14.
xiii RMWB, Regional Profile. http://www.woodbuffalo.ab.ca/residents/regional_profile/RegionalProfile.pdf
xiv CBC. Fort Chip Ice Road Finally Opens to Traffic. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/north/story/2006/01/23/chip-road23012006.html
xv Slave River Journal. Alberta asks Feds to Partner on all-weather Chip-Smith Road.
http://www.srj.ca/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=1&twindow=&mad=&sdetail=987&wpage=1&skeyword=&sidate=
&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=&pfor
m=&sc=1957&hn=srj&he=.ca
i
ii
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Envision Wood Buffalo: Towards 250k
Fort Chipewyan
May 2008
Slave River Journal. Northern Barge Route an Idea that Floats.
http://www.srj.ca/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=74&twindow=Default&mad=No&sdetail=2149&wpage=1&skeywo
rd=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&sub
name=&pform=&sc=1957&hn=srj&he=.ca
xvii Nunee Health Authority. http://www.nunee.org/mandate.htm
xviii Nunee Health Authority. http://www.nunee.org/NursingStation2.htm
xix Northern Lights Health Region. Fort Chipewyan Nursing Station.
http://www.nlrhs.ca/Hospitals_Facilities/Clinics_Facilities_community.aspx?id=127
xx Nunee Health Authority. http://www.nunee.org/wellnesscentre.htm
xxi Nunee Health Authority. http://www.nunee.org/PublicHealth.htm
xxii Slave River Journal. Chip Water Report Confirms Fears.
http://www.srj.ca/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=74&twindow=Default&mad=No&sdetail=2364&wpage=1&skeywo
rd=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&sub
name=&pform=&sc=1957&hn=srj&he=.ca
xxiii Slave River Journal. Nunee Health Study Challenged/Defended
http://www.srj.ca/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=74&twindow=Default&mad=No&sdetail=2401&wpage=1&skeywo
rd=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&sub
name=&pform=&sc=1957&hn=srj&he=.ca
xxiv Interview with Kim Howell
xxv Northland School Division, 2007.
xxviNorthland School Division, 2007. http://www.northland61.ab.ca/schools/AD/schools_athabasca_delta.html
xxvii Keyano College Campuses: Fort Chipewyan. http://www.keyano.ca/Campuses/default.asp?ID=3
xxviii http://education.alberta.ca/media/356303/albertahscrates.pdf TARA CONFIRM - UNSURE OF SCHOOL
NAME
xxix High School Graduates from 1997 to 2002 from Report of the Athabasca Tribal Council Schools Review 2003
xxx Slave River Journal. New Cellular Service for Fort Chip.
http://www.srj.ca/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=74&twindow=Default&mad=No&sdetail=2390&wpage=1&skeywo
rd=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&sub
name=&pform=&sc=1957&hn=srj&he=.ca
xxxi www40.statcan.ca
xxxii Morrison Hershfield Consulting Engineers & Managers
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xxxiii Canadian Shield Region: Alberta, Canada. http://raysweb.net/specialplaces/pages/shield.html
xxxiv Canadian Shield Region: Alberta, Canada. http://raysweb.net/specialplaces/pages/shield.html
xxxv World Heritage Sites: Wood Buffalo National Park. Conservation Management.
http://www2.wcmc.org.uk/protected_areas/data/wh/woodbuff.html
xxxviWorld Heritage Sites: Wood Buffalo National Park.
http://www2.wcmc.org.uk/protected_areas/data/wh/woodbuff.html
xxxvii Fort Chipewyan Bicentennial Museum
http://www.woodbuffalo.ab.ca/visitors/arts+heritage/fort_chipewyan_museum.asp
xxxviii Slave River Journal. Ice, Ice Baby.
http://www.srj.ca/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=74&twindow=Default&mad=No&sdetail=945&wpage=1&skeywor
d=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subn
ame=&pform=&sc=1957&hn=srj&he=.ca
xxxix Community Plan, Doghead Indian Reserve No. 218 & Allison Bay Indian Reserve No. 219. (Jan. 1990). 2-13.
xvi
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