Mackenzie County

Welcome

Welcome to Mackenzie County

Mackenzie County is geographically the largest municipality in Canada and is located in the northwest corner of the province of Alberta, reaching to the boundaries of British Columbia and Northwest Territories.

Our major industries are farming, logging, lumber production and oil and gas exploration. Our communities are diverse, from the southern community of La Crete - the farming center of our municipality; north to Fort Vermilion – one of the oldest communities in Alberta; and further north to Zama - home to one of the largest oil sites in the province.

Natural recreation areas include Wadlin Lake - a pelican nesting ground; Machesis Lake - stocked with Rainbow Trout; Hutch Lake - stocked with walleye and open to “catch and release” sport fishing in July and August. Overnight campgrounds are located at Wadlin Lake, Machesis Lake, Hutch Lake and Rainbow Lake. Fly in fishing lodges or wilderness lodges are located at Bistcho Lake, Margaret Lake, Thurston Lake and Wentzel Lake. Located on the picturesque banks of the mighty Peace River are hunting lodges to accommodate hunters of the large flocks of geese and ducks as well as big game including deer and moose.

On a clear winter’s night you can watch marvelous displays of the northern lights. The extended daylight hours in the summer allow you to enjoy midnight golfing in late June and early July.

We hope you find our website informative and thank you for visiting.

Area Overview

Alberta's largest rural municipality, the Mackenzie County is experiencing growth as many businesses and newcomers recognize the unique lifestyle and employment opportunities the municipality provides.

Located in the extreme northwestern corner of the province 800 kilometers from Edmonton, with municipal offices in Fort Vermilion, High Level, La Crete and Zama, the municipality comprises 12 per cent of Alberta's entire landmass, or about 50,000 square kilometers.

The municipality offers a mix of flat arable land with boreal forest, thus accounting for active agriculture, forestry, and tourism industries. Oil & gas also play a significant role in the area's economy. It is largely responsible for the establishment and growth of three of the area's five main communities, those being High Level, Zama, and Rainbow Lake. The economies of Fort Vermilion and La Crete are more driven by forestry and agriculture.

Mackenzie County holds 36 per cent of the Peace Region's natural gas reserves, and 80 per cent of its light-medium crude oil reserves.

There are many active grain farmers in the area, with the two main grain buyers being Agricore located in High Level and Parrish & Heimbecker Grain located in La Crete. La Crete boasts the largest United Farmers of Alberta retail outlet in Alberta, giving just one indication of the active nature of the local agriculture industry.

Because the municipality has a rich natural resource base, this provides a stable work environment. For example, many farmers take jobs with local sawmills during the winter months to supplement their income.

There are several sawmills within the County, the largest being La Crete Sawmills, Footner Forest Products south of High Level and Tolko Industries in High Level.

The County believes that, given the high level of primary resource activity in the area, the municipality offers tremendous potential for value-added industry. They will assist any new business interested in locating in the area.

Finally, the County offers an unparalleled recreational wilderness experience. Many of the areas 307 lakes are only accessible by pontoon plane, thus accounting for several local guiding and outfitting businesses.

Economic Base

The development of this region's rich resources has left a human imprint on the vast landscape with a number of vibrant, prosperous, and exciting communities now in existance. The continuing community growth and regional development is fuelled by a sense of fortune and a belief in the tremendous economic potential and favourable quality of this thriving northern hinderland.

Forestry

The Forest Industry is an essential employer in the region. Approximately 24% of 1.9 million hectares of Mackenzie County is forested with mature timber.

The municipality is home to the world's largest single line continuous press operation producing Oriented Strand Board (OSB) along with several private sawmills, one of which is one of the largest three-line sawmills in North America. Most of these facilities arrange tours upon request, which are highly recommended.

Oil and Gas

The Oil and Gas Industry plays an important role in the economy of the County generating a great deal of revenue and representing a large percentage of the County's tax base.

Two communities in the municipality, the Town of Rainbow Lake and the Hamlet of Zama City, developed as a result of the petroleum industry. Although High Level contains a broader economic base, it too has strong ties to the Oil and Gas industry.

Oil and Gas exploration and development is concentrated on the west side of Mackenzie County where a vast majority of the oil and gas reserves are located.

Regionally, petroleum reserves in the County are significant. They account for 36% and 80% of the Peace Region's natural gas and light-medium crude reserves respectively.

 Agriculture

With the discovery and development of enormous fossil fuel reserves, the wise management of the region’s forest wealth, and the agricultural development of the region’s arable land, the Municipality has evolved into an important primary resource development region in the province.

Although this region more than tripled its amount of improved agricultural land since 1971, the area has tremendous potential for agricultural expansion. The main reason for the increase in improved agricultural land base is attributed to the Mennonite farming population in La Crete and the Ukrainian population in the Rocky Lane area. Traditionally, these groups have been closely associated with farming, a trait which classifies them with the most capable farmers.

Mackenzie County consists of about 7.9 million hectares: 316,000 hectares are public and patented land, and 218,000 hectares (539,000 acres) are farmland making up approximately 700 farms. There are two off-track elevators located in La Crete, where 65% of the region’s grain is grown. Grain is hauled to Fort Saskatchewan and beyond.

There is a good mixture of grain, livestock, and mixed farming operations, a substantial amount of land clearing, as well as value added businesses. Because of our geographical area, most of our agricultural soils are gray wooded soils. Wheat, canola, and field peas make up the bulk of crops grown. Over the last few years there have been acreage increases of peas, oats, canola, and alfalfa. Extended daylight hours in the summer more than compensate for our shorter growing season. Value added businesses include farm suppliers, trucking, machinery dealerships, feed mills, seed cleaning co-ops, and grain terminals.

Livestock

Recent years have seen an increase in livestock production in the north. Livestock operations include herds of cattle as well as bison. Currently in the municipality there are approximately 18,000 head of beef cattle, 850 horses, 9,000 pigs, 45,000 chickens, 800 sheep, 1,500 goats, 700 turkeys, and 3 bee (honey) farms.  

Utilities

La Crete

John Klassen - Director of Operations (South)
Ph: 780-928-3983
Cell: 780-841-1683
Email jklassen@mackenziecounty.com

Fort Vermilion

David Crichton - Director of Operations (North)
Ph: 780-927-3718
Cell: 780-841-1683
Email dcrichton@mackenziecounty.com

Zama

Dan Roberts
Hamlet Supervisor
Ph: 780-683-2378
Cell: 780-841-5050
droberts@mackenziecounty.com

Chris Kiloski - Senior Utilities Officer
Ph: 780-683-2277
Cell: 780-841-1696 

Taxation

	Residential/Farmland	Non-Residential
2004
Municipal Tax Rate	6.7500	10.5000
Education - Alberta School Foundation Fund Tax Rate	4.4260	6.9720
Education Opted Out Tax Rate	4.4260	6.9720
Seniors Lodge Accommodation Tax Rate	.2170	.2170

Transportation

There is twice daily air service from Edmonton to High Level, Sunday through Friday. Cental Mountain Air offer flights to Edmonton.

Highway access to the region is gained from the north and south via Highway 35, the Mackenzie Highway. Veering off to the west from High Level is Highway 58 that connects to the Town of Rainbow Lake and the County's gas and oil fields.

Veering off to the east from High Level is a paved loop providing access to Fort Vermilion and La Crete. Highway 58 heads east from High Level, Highway 88 points south to Fort Vermilion, the secondary Highway 697 turns southwest towards La Crete. Continuing along SH697 completes the loop back to Highway 35 with a ferry or ice bridge adventure over the Peace River at Tompkins landing. Travelling north from High Level on Highway 35 connects to the Zama Access Road, a well maintained gravel roads that ends at Zama City.

RaiLink provides freight services to High Level. This service is used extensively to transport grain and cut dimension lumber to southern destinations.

Community Lifestyle

The County is the sportsman's dream with fly-in fishing at Margaret Lake, camping and fishing at Wadlin Lake, Machesis Lake, Hutch Lake; bear hunting in the spring; big game and migratory bird hunting in the fall; snowmobile and cross country ski trails.

Education

The Fort Vermilion School Division No.52 is an authority operating 14 schools in a geographic area situated about 800 kilometres northwest of Edmonton, Alberta. The division also administers one Aboriginal school for the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and four Learning Stores (outreach schools).

Athough the schools are located in northern Alberta, most working and living conditions are similar to those of schools found in other parts of the province. Schools are modern in design, and are equipped with materials and books necessary to implement contemporary instructional programs. The area is characterized by rapid growth due to the development of local oil, timber and agricultural resources. School facilites are continually expanding in an efford to keep pace with the rapid growing student population.

Emergency Services

OUR MISSION;

"Mackenzie Regional Emergency Services is committed to protecting the people and property within Mackenzie County".

Mackenzie Regional Emergency Services (MRES) was established in 1998 after an extensive audit of all our emergency services including our contact and mutual aid service. We hired a consulting firm to provide the audit. The task was initiated during a time of widespread restructuring/planning review throughout the area. Upon completion of the audit, meetings were held with our emergency service members to review the audit and set goals and objectives for the departments. Our three fire departments (Fort Vermilion Fire-Rescue, La Crete Fire-Rescue, Zama Fire-Rescue) and La Crete Ambulance were merged into one department called "MACKENZIE REGIONAL EMERGENCY SERVICES".

Fort Vermilion Fire-Rescue
MRES (MD #23)
26 Volunteers
Fire Hall Office Phone: 780-927-3278
Chief: Shane Dempster
Deputy Chief: 

High Level Fire-Rescue
Fire Hall Office Phone: 780-926-2033
Chief: Rodney Schmidt
Deputy Chief: Mark Andrews  

La Crete Fire-Rescue
MRES (MD #23)
20 Volunteers
Fire Hall Office Phone: 780-928-3869
Chief:
Deputy Chief:

Zama City Fire-Rescue
MRES (MD #23)
13 Volunteers
Fire Hall Office Phone: 780-683-2266
Chief: 

Footner Lake Fire-Rescue
Dial 911
Chief: Jim Lindsay

Rainbow Lake Fire-Rescue
Dial 911
Chief: Cory Olsen
Deputy Chief: Adam Moore 

Community Services

Fort Vermilion

The Hamlet of Fort Vermilion was founded in 1788 as a post for the North West Company, this picturesque community stretches for six kilometres along the southern banks of the Mighty Peace River.

During the early years riverboats were a way of life and Fort Vermilion's riverbanks bustled with these stately vessels. Labourers manually pulled goods up the Vermilion Chutes and reloaded them onto riverboats to continue on thieir way. The grand entrance of the railway in High Level and Fort Chipewan divided the North and ended the river trading system. In 1952 the M.B. Watson Lake made the final commercial run to Fort Vermilion, bringing the riverboat era to an end.

Aboriginal people, represented by two major language groups, the Dene and the Cree, were the first to inhabit the area. With the onset of the fur trade in the late 1700's the aboriginal way of life changed and outside goods were offered in trade for furs, hides and provisions from the natives.

The province of Alberta was formed in 1905. The thriving trade and settlement at Fort Vermilion influenced the political decision to strike the northern boundary of Alberta at 60 degrees north latitude. In 1974 the bridge across the Peace River was opened and the region changed forever. There was no longer a need for the ferry in summer and ice bridge in winter to link Fort Vermilion with people and services across the river.

Facilities

The community has preserved many of the old original buildings, including a Hudson’s Bay trading post and office and a trappers shack. The 1923 dove-tailed log St. Germain House is now the Visitor Information Centre. The Lean To Museum and Archives, built in 1995, features exhibits depicting historical life in Fort Vermilion with artifacts dating back as far as the late 1700’s.

Fort Vermilion has a handsome modern hospital overlooking the Peace River Valley. This was the first facility to service the entire municipality. The Bicentennial Park is situated along the Mighty Peace River and features a monument and time capsule from the 1988 celebration. The site of the old Roman Catholic mission hospital has been replaced by an all service RV Park, and a nine-hole grass greens golf course in Fort Vermilion features the last of the historic log mission buildings now serving as the Club House.

The Fort Vermilion Nature Trail is an easy hike along the river shore through a mostly forested area promising an incredible view of the Peace River. The trail is marked by signs on each end and is accessible from River Road.

Annual community events include a winter carnival, outdoor rodeo and River Daze.

La Crete

The Hamlet of La Crete is a Mennonite community started in the mid 30's and is the agricultural center of the County.

La Crete is situated in the northwest corner of Alberta and lies at the north base of the beautiful Buffalo Head Hills. A few miles to the east lays the Mighty Peace River, in all it's roaring splendor and peaceful serenity. Besides the scenic hills and majestic river, we are also surrounded by forests, lakes and lush farmland. Our location provides unlimited opportunities for adventures such as water sports, hunting, camping, fishing, snowmobiling and many more.

La Crete has a unique Mennonite heritage and you won't want to miss the Mennonite Heritage Village, where our history comes to life in the many original buildings that we settled in. Despite vast growth in recent years, La Crete remains a friendly, family oriented community with a strong sense of pride in our heritage. We encourage you to come and visit us, either to relax and take in the beautiful scenery and heritage or embark on the adventure of a lifetime.

Please feel free to give us a call or email us at any time if you are interested in learning more about our organization, our community or need help planning a trip to La Crete.

La Crete & Area Chamber of Commerce
10406-100 Street
Box 1088
La Crete, Alberta, T0H 2H0
Phone: (780) 928-2278
Fax: (780) 928-2234
Email: lccoc@telusplanet.net

Zama

The Hamlet of Zama is the oil center of the north and has a very active community spirit.

Okay, get out an Alberta map, you'll need one that has north of Peace River on it, rev up the engine and travel approximately 85 kilometers on the Mackenzie Highway north of the town of High Level, hang a mean left and experience bush-road travel another 63 kilometers; and at the end of that road is the small hamlet of Zama City.

The community of Zama along with Zama Lake were named after a Dene Tha' Chief, whose name was Zamba. Previously known as Zama Lake, Zama and now Zama City we are still a Hamlet within the Mckenzie County.

Our community is located smack-dab in the middle of one of the largest known oil and gas fields in Alberta. Residents are here because of this industry and are all involved somehow or another in the oil and gas profession.

As far as anyone can figure Zama has been in existence for well over 35 years. Legend states that it was initially called 'Cameron Corner' named after the first company that set up on the main street in town. Zama and its citizens are mainly dependent on the major oil companies in the area. We've had our share of them too, Hudson Bay, Dome, Amoco, Coenerco, Pennzoil, Gulf, Phillips and Apache are some of the many that have had holdings in the area.

Our community has quite a few facilities and services that serve the 250 residents as well as upwards of 4,000 transient workers. The people here are hard working and dedicated to the community. We work 24 - 7, to make sure that the oil field that we rely on stays healthy and in production. It's a hard life but the rewards are many. We have that 'small-town' atmosphere that offers security and safety to our citizens and children. And even though we don't have all the amenities of the big-city, we have what we need to make us happy: Honest work, great friends and above all family!

If you ever get the opportunity to visit us, make sure you look beyond the mud and the bugs, and talk to the people that call this small community "home"!

Rainbow Lake

For information, see our community profile or visit our web site at www.rainbowlake.ca

High Level

For information , see our community profile or visit our web site at www.highlevel.ca

Climate

This region leads the Lower Peace River area in several climactic factors including the most heat units, the longest number of days with the temperatures greater than 20 Degrees Celsius, and the least amount of evaporation.

The climate is continental with long dry winters and short, intense summers. Snow covers the ground from late October to April. On average, the region recieves 387 mm of precipitation annually.

Key Contacts

Mackenzie County
PO Box 640
Fort Vermilion, AB T0H 1N0
1 877 927 0677
Phone: 780-927-3718
Fax: 780-927-4266
office@mackenziecounty.com

Greg Newman
Reeve 
greg@mackenziecounty.com 

William Kostiw
Chief Administrative Officer
bkostiw@mackenziecounty.com

Fort Vermilion Board of Trade
Box 338
Fort Vermilion, Alberta
T0H 1N0
Phone/Fax: 780-927-3227

La Crete & Area Chamber of Commerce
10406-100 Street
Box 1088
La Crete, Alberta, T0H 2H0
Phone: 780-928-2278
Fax: 780-928-2234
Email: lccoc@telusplanet.net

Corporate Services

Joulia Whittleton
Director of Corporate Services
Phone: 780-927-3718
Email: jwhittleton@mackenziecounty.com

Peter Pynacker
Finance Controller
Phone: 780-927-3718
Email: ppynacker@mackenziecounty.com

Bernie Driedger
Payroll / Personnel
Phone: 780-927-3718
Email: bdriedger@mackenziecounty.com

Stephanie Wiebe
Accounts Payable
Phone: 780-927-3718
Email: swiebe@mackenziecounty.com

Carla Komarnicki 
Utility and Accounts Receivable
Phone: 780-927-3718
email: ckormarnicki@mackenzicounty.com

Dianne Pawlik
Taxes and Assessment
Phone: 780-927-3718
email: dpawlik@mackenzicounty.com

Eileen Steuernagel
Human Resources 
Fort Vermilion
Phone: 780-927-3718
email: esteuernagel@mackenziecounty.com

Pat Moormann
Administrative Assistant
High Level
Phone: 780-926-5600
email: pmoormann@mackenziecounty.com

Vicky Krahn
Administrative Assistant
La Crete
Phone: 780-928-3983
email: vkrahn@mackenziecounty.com

Julius Peters
Information Services Technologist
Phone: 780-927-3718
julius@mackenziecounty.com

Regional Contact

Mackenzie Economic Development Corporation
Box 210
High Level, Alberta
T0H 1Z0
Tel: 780-926-4233
or 1-888-922-4233
Fax: 780-926-2162
info@medc.ab.ca www.medc.ab.ca

Regional Economic Development Initiative for Northwest Alberta
Box 210
High Level, Alberta
T0H 1Z0
Tel: 780-926-7314
Fax: 780-926-2161
info@rediregion.ca www.rediregion.ca

Provincial (Updated March 2006)

Michael Cheeks, Regional Manager
Alberta Economic Development
Postal Bag 900 - 3
105 Provincial Building
9626 - 96 Avenue
Peace River, Alberta
T8S 1T4
Tel: 780-624-6114
Fax: 780-624-6490
michael.cheeks@gov.ab.ca

Frank Oberle
Member of the Legislative Assembly [MLA]
Peace River Constituency
#132 Legislature Building
Edmonton, Alberta
T5K 2B6 Tel: 780-427-1879
Fax: 780-415-0968

Federal

Chris Warkentin
Member of Parliament [MP]
Peace River Constituency

Parliamentary Address:
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6
Tel: 613-992-5685

Constituency Office:
#207, 10605 West Side Drive
Grande Prairie, Alberta  T8V 8E6

E-mail: warkentin.c@parl.gc.ca
Website: www.chriswarkentin.ca

Toll Free: 1-800-667-0456
780-538-1677
Fax: 780-538-9257