Fort McMurray oil companies could see tax break if they hire more locals

A local politician in Fort McMurray is willing to cut the property tax burden on big oil companies in exchange for a promise tohire more local workers and reduce the long-distance commuter workforce.

"Roughly a third of the people who work for the oil industry [in Fort McMurray]are probably being flown in from other parts of Alberta, or more commonly from outside of the province," saidAllan Vinni,councillor with the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.

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"We're trying to be an economically and environmentally stable oil industry. We need people to live here to do those jobs,"Vinnisaid.

Vinnisaid despite the waves of layoffs in Fort McMurray, someoil companies are looking to hire, and he wants to see local residents get priority.

For example, Suncor's Fort Hills project could employ roughly 2,000 more people, Vinni said.

"You really don't want to be flying in and flying out people for 30 years to keep that plant going. It's just not efficient, and it doesn't lead tothe level of expertise that makes you a world leader in what you're trying to do."

Vinni's motion will bedebated at the April 5 council meeting.

"We have the ability to look at some things and lower taxes and benefit everybody that way, but we need something in exchange for this. We need to know that more people are going to be employed here," he said.

With files fromAlberta@Noon.