Smoky River No. 130, M.D. of

www.mdsmokyriver.com

Welcome

Welcome to the M.D. of Smoky River. Discover the advantages of living and working in the Smoky River Region. Come and visit our vibrant, friendly communities and experience our recreational and cultural treasures. Opportunties abound in the Smoky River Region offering the perfect location to live, work and raise a family.



Area Overview

The M.D. of Smoky River, or commonly refered to as the Smoky River Region is a vibrant, productive area of approximatley 1 000 000 acres located in the Peace Country in north-western Alberta. The communities of Falher, McLennan, Girouxville, and Donnelly are within the M.D. boundaries. In total, approximatley 5000 people live in the Smoky River Region. The area is characterized by strong agricultural roots rich in Francophone culture. Pioneering French settlers opened up the land in the area in the early 1900's. As one of the most productive agricultural areas in the province the Smoky River Region is a warm and welcoming place in which to live. A combination of culture, recreation and people contribute to the exciting quality of life in the area.

Community Lifestyle

The Smoky River Region has abundant opportunities for outdoor pursuits. The Little Smoky River and Big Smoky River traverse through the region offering recreational activities such as camping, fishing, jet boating, hunting and relaxing on the banks every summer.



Little Smoky River in the Spring

Economic Base

The M.D. of Smoky River is strategically located central to the Peace Region. Historically, agriculture and forestry where the main industries in the area. More recently, the oil and gas industry has been expanding in the area due to large conventional reserves and the proximity to the Peace Oil Sands.

The traditional economy in the area developed from agricultural production. The Smoky River region is known as the highest yielding canola growing area in Canada. Apiculture (Honey production) is also a large industry contributing to the production of 10 million pounds of honey produced in the Peace Region every year. Recently (2004), the largest honey processing facility in Canada was built in the Smoky River Region. Extensive grain production in the area has also positioned the M.D. of Smoky River as a very competitive region for livestock production. The largest alfalfa-dehye plant in North America, Falher Alfalfa, is located here along with a feed mill and Peace Country Oats, all producing animal feeds that are used domestically and internationally.

The Smoky River Region is also located within the Peace Oil Sands area, the third largest deposit of oil sands in the world containing an estimated 155 billion barrels of oil. Within the last year the area has seen a surge of interest in the development of the oil sands with several large developments occurring to the north-east and within neighbouring municipalities. It is expected that the area will see continued expansion of development within the oil sands area over the next 20 years.

The Smoky River Region is well positioned to see sustained growth over the next decade. With its established primary agricultural production along with the value-added agricultural opportunities, the Smoky River Region is the perfect place to grow ag-based businesses. Oil and Gas will continue to expand in the region offering high paying career opportunities and investment in the area. The Smoky River Region welcomes entrepreneurs and business investment. For more information and business support please contact the Smoky River Regional Economic Development Office at 780-837-2364.



Oil and gas development is expanding in the Smoky River Region

Health Care

The Sacred Heart Community Health Centre is a modern facility with 20 acute care beds and 45 long term care beds. An active emergency room, physiotherapy department, diagnostic services and operating room allow you to treat the whole patient.

Service Features

24 hour emergency care, 20 Acute care bed, 5 Physicians, Cardiac/Diabetes Educator, Endoscopy, French and Aboriginal Liasion Workers, General surgery, Intensive care unit, Medicine, Obstetrics, Occupational Therapy, Outpatients, Palliative, Pastoral Care, Pediatrics, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Telehealth Services including continuing education and videoconferencing, Visiting Registered Dietitian, X-ray and laboratory services.

Contact Information

Sacred Heart Community Health Centre
Bag 2000
McLennan, Alberta T0H 2LO
Telephone (780) 324-3730

Web site: www.pchr.ca

Director of Health Services: Barbara Mader
Chief of Staff: Dr. Pieter De Wet

Key Contacts for Business Development

Donald Dumont
Reeve
M.D. of Smoky River No. 130
P.O. Box 210
Falher, AB
T0H 1M0

Phone: 780-837-2221
Fax: 780-837-2453

Lucien Turcotte
Chief Administrative Officer
M.D. of Smoky River
P.O. Box 210
Falher, AB
T0H 1M0

Phone: 780-837-2221
Fax: 780-837-2453
Email: lturcotte@mdsmokyriver.com

Ro Allen 
Economic Development Officer
Smoky River Regional Economic Development
P.O. Box 210
Falher, AB
T0H 1M0

Phone: 780-837-2364
Fax: 780-837-2453

Email: roallen@mdsmokyriver.com

website:Smoky River Region

Federal

Chris Warkentin
Member of Parliament [MP]
Peace River Constituency

Parliamentary Address:
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6

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

Location

The MD of Smoky River is located in the Peace Region of Alberta. The region starts approximatley 35 km North of Valleyview and extend to about 35 km south of Peace River.



MD of Smoky River(Peace Region)


Location of the MD of Smoky River

Taxation

Residential/Farmland Non-Residential
2004
Municipal Tax Rate 12.9569 14.9569
Education - Alberta School Foundation Fund Tax Rate 5.1438 5.8401
Education Opted Out Tax Rate 5.1438 5.8401
Seniors Lodge Accommodation Tax Rate .1840 .1840

Population

Total Population    
Population 2006* 2,379
Population 2005* 2,379
Population 2004* 2,379
Population 2003* 2,379
Population 2002* 2,379
Population 2001** 2,375
Population 1996** 2,491
Population 1991** 2,613
Population % change 1991-1996 -4.90%
Population % change 1996-2001 -4.88%
Population % change 2001-2006 0.17%
* Source: Official Population List, Alberta Municipal Affairs
** Source: Statistics Canada Census

Total Population 1991-2001

Population by Age and Gender  1996 
Male 
1996 
Female 
1996 
Total 
2001 
Male 
2001 
Female 
2001 
Total 
Age 0 - 4 100 85 185 75 80 155
Age 5 - 14 245 220 465 240 200 440
Age 15 - 19 110 100 210 105 95 200
Age 20 - 24 60 45 105 60 40 100
Age 25 - 34 170 165 335 125 120 245
Age 35 - 44 235 180 415 220 185 405
Age 45 - 54 150 160 310 170 165 335
Age 55 - 64 155 115 270 135 110 245
Age 65 - 74 90 75 165 110 90 200
Age 75 and older 20 20 40 35 20 55
Total All Persons 1,330 1,160 2,490 1,275 1,100 2,375
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Smoky River No. 130, M.D. of Population by Age Group (2001)

Education Statistics

Highest level of schooling for Population 20yrs and older  2001 
People without high school certificates 710 45.37%
People with high school certificates 280 17.89%
People with trades or non-university certificate or diploma 385 24.60%
People with post-secondary education (not completed) 100 6.39%
People with university diploma/certificate 50 3.19%
People with university degree 40 2.56%
Total Population 20 years and older 1,565 100.00%
Source: Statistics Canada 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Smoky River No. 130, M.D. of Highest Level of Schooling 2001


Population with Post Secondary Qualifications  1996  2001 
Agriculture and biological sciences 70 16.09% 65 13.68%
Commerce, management and business administration 60 13.79% 90 18.95%
Educational, recreational and counseling services 85 19.54% 95 20.00%
Engineering and applied science tech. and trades 125 28.74% 110 23.16%
Engineering and applied sciences 0 0.00% 0 0.00%
Fine and applied arts 25 5.75% 45 9.47%
Health professionals, science and technologies 40 9.20% 50 10.53%
Humanities and related fields 0 0.00% 0 0.00%
Mathematics and physical sciences 15 3.45% 10 2.11%
Social sciences and related fields 10 2.30% 20 4.21%
Other and/or no specialization 0 0.00% 0 0.00%
Total people with post secondary qualifications 435 100.00% 475 100.00%
Females with post-secondary qualifications 210 48.28% 285 60.00%
Males with post-secondary qualifications 225 51.72% 190 40.00%
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Labour Force

Labour force by activity  1996  2001 
In the labour force, both sexes 1,390 1,305
Not in the labour force, both sexes 435 470
Total population 15 and over 1,830 1,775
Employed, both sexes 1,355 1,270
Unemployed, both sexes 35 35
Participation rate, both sexes 76.00% 74.00%
Unemployment rate, both sexes 2.00% 3.00%
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

 

Labour Force by Industry Division  1996  % of total  2001  % of total 
Agriculture 680 49.10% 540 41.38%
Mining 10 0.72% 45 3.45%
Manufacturing 70 5.05% 60 4.60%
Construction 25 1.81% 60 4.60%
Transportation. & Utilities 100 7.22% 90 6.90%
Retail and Wholesale 165 11.91% 155 11.88%
Finance 30 2.17% 55 4.21%
Business & Community Services 215 15.52% 255 19.54%
Public Administration 50 3.61% 55 4.21%
Total All Industries 1,385 100.00% 1,305 100.00%
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Smoky River No. 130, M.D. of Labour Force By Industry - 2001


 
Labour Force by Major Occupational Groups  1996  2001 
Management occupations 65 4.69% 25 1.92%
Business, Finances and administrative occupations 155 11.19% 165 12.69%
Natural and applied sciences and related occupations 0 0.00% 10 0.77%
Health occupations 50 3.61% 35 2.69%
Occupations in social science; education; government and religion 30 2.17% 70 5.38%
Occupations in art; culture; recreation and sport 10 0.72% 15 1.15%
Sales and service occupations 190 13.72% 215 16.54%
Trades; transport; equipment operators and related occupations 225 16.25% 215 16.54%
Occupations unique to primary industry 630 45.49% 545 41.92%
Occupations unique to processing; manufacturing and utilities 35 2.53% 0 0.00%
Occupations not elsewhere classified 10 0.72% 0 0.00%
Total - All Occupations (major groups) 1,385 100.00% 1,300 100.00%
Females - All Occupations 545 39.35% 510 39.23%
Males - All Occupations 840 60.65% 790 60.77%
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Income

Family Income (Number of Families)  1996  2001 
less than $19,999 60 9.38% 70 12.39%
$20,000 - $39,999 130 20.31% 180 31.86%
$40,000 - $59,999 235 36.72% 150 26.55%
$60,000 and over 215 33.59% 185 32.74%
Total number of families 640 100.00% 585 103.54%
Average family income $52,708   $54,460  
Median family income $51,407   $49,014  
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Household Income (Number of Households)  1996  2001 
less than $19,999 120 15.00% 170 21.66%
$20,000 - $39,999 205 25.63% 210 26.75%
$40,000 - $59,999 245 30.63% 160 20.38%
$60,000 and over 60 7.50% 250 31.85%
Total number of households 800 100.00% 785 100.00%
Average household income $49,281   $48,279  
Median household income $46,510   $42,815  
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Dwellings

Occupied Private Dwellings by Type  1996  % of total  2001  % of total 
Apartments 0 0.00% 0 0.00%
Detached Duplexes 0 0.00% 0 0.00%
Movable Dwellings 90 11.25% 90 11.46%
Other single attached house 0 0.00% 0 0.00%
Row and semi-detached house 0 0.00% 0 0.00%
Single-detached house 705 88.13% 700 89.17%
Total number of occupied private dwellings 800 100.00% 785 100.00%
Private dwellings, owned 755 94.38% 700 89.17%
Private Dwellings, rented 40 5.00% 85 10.83%
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)
Private Dwellings by Period of Construction  # of Dwellings  % of total 
Period of construction, before 1946 25 3.14%
Period of construction, 1946 - 1960 155 19.50%
Period of construction, 1961 - 1970 105 13.21%
Period of construction, 1971 - 1980 250 31.45%
Period of construction, 1981 - 1990 130 16.35%
Period of construction, 1991 - 2001 130 16.35%
Total number of private dwellings constructed 795 100.00%
Source: Statistics Canada 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Farming

Smoky River No. 130, M.D. of Total Farm Area : 485 acres

Farms by Total Farm Area (2001)  # of Farms  % of total 
Farms - Under 129 acres 25 5.15%
Farms - 130 to 239 acres 55 11.34%
Farms - 240 to 559 acres 85 17.53%
Farms - 560 to 759 acres 48 9.90%
Farms - 760 to 1,119 acres 87 17.94%
Farms - 1,120 to 1,599 acres 72 14.85%
Farms - 1,600 to 2,239 acres 51 10.52%
Farms - 2,240 acres and over 62 12.78%
Total number of farms reporting 485 100.00%
Source: Statistics Canada 2001 Census of Agriculture(numbers may not add up due to rounding)

# of Farms by Total Farm Area

Farms by Total Gross Farm Receipts - 2001  # of Farms  % of total 
Farms gross farm receipts - under $9,999 46 9.48%
Farms gross farm receipts - $10,000 to $49,999 141 29.07%
Farms gross farm receipts - $50,000 to $99,999 82 16.91%
Farms gross farm receipts - $100,000 to $249,999 135 27.84%
Farms gross farm receipts - $250,000 to $499,999 53 10.93%
Farms gross farm receipts - $500,000 and over 28 5.77%
Total number of farms reporting 485 100.00%
Source: Statistics Canada 2001 Census of Agriculture(numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Total Gross Farm Receipts

Farming, Continued

Characteristics of Farm Operators 
Age - Under 35 years 90 13.14%
Age - 35 to 54 years 360 52.55%
Age - 55 years and over 240 35.04%
Average age of operators 49  
     
Number of operators - Female 180 26.28%
Number of operators - Male 505 73.72%
Total number of operators reporting 685 100.00%
Source: Statistics Canada 2001 Census of Agriculture(numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Age of Farm Operators

Projects

Summary of Projects in Smoky River No. 130, M.D. of as of December 2007

Project Sector  Number of Projects  Project Cost 
Oil, Gas & Oilsands  $2,500,000,000 
Chemicals & Petrochemicals  $160,000,000 
Total $2,660,000,000 
This inventory lists projects in Alberta that have recently been completed, are under construction, or are proposed to start construction. Not all projects are listed due to reasons of confidentiality and/or due to information not being available at the time of printing. Project data is obtained from public information sources, where possible, this data has been verified with the project proponent/developer, users of the Inventory may wish to confirm project data with the proponent/developer. The inventory does not breakdown project expenditures by any given year. The cost of a project is the value of expenditures expected over all phases of project construction, which may span over two or more years. Cost of projects listed in the Inventory are estimated values only. Source: Alberta Employment, Immigration and Industry.

Value of Projects by Sector (as of December 2007)

Project Status  Number of Projects  Project Cost 
Announced   $2,500,000,000 
Proposed   $160,000,000 
Total $2,660,000,000 
This inventory lists projects in Alberta that have recently been completed, are under construction, or are proposed to start construction. Not all projects are listed due to reasons of confidentiality and/or due to information not being available at the time of printing. Project data is obtained from public information sources, where possible, this data has been verified with the project proponent/developer, users of the Inventory may wish to confirm project data with the proponent/developer. The inventory does not breakdown project expenditures by any given year. The cost of a project is the value of expenditures expected over all phases of project construction, which may span over two or more years. Cost of projects listed in the Inventory are estimated values only. Source: Alberta Employment, Immigration and Industry.

Largest Projects in Smoky River No. 130, M.D. of as of December 2007

Company Name  Project 
Description 
Project 
Location 
Project 
Cost 
Construction 
Schedule 
Status 
Peace River Oil (PRO) Upgrading Inc.  'Bluesky' Diesel Refinery and Heavy Crude Oil Upgrader Phase 1  MD of Smoky River (S of McLennan)  $2,500,000,000  2009-2011  Announced  
Peace River Oil (PRO) Inc. / Econcept Bio-Energy Corp.  Ethanol Plant and Biogas Facility  MD of Smoky River (near McLennan)  $160,000,000  Proposed  

 

 

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