Oil companies forced to halt production when Fort McMurray was hit by raging forest fires should resume production "in the coming days and short weeks ahead," Alberta Premier Rachel Notley said Tuesday.
Conditions have to be met first, including ensuring that local roads are safe, that thousands of workers get back and hospitals and clinics reopen, she said after meeting with oil company officials.
Thousands of workers who live in the oil boom town were evacuated and now will have to be brought back by car, bus, train and plane.
Oil companies will work to facilitate sharing of airspace as flights come in and firefighters' helicopters continue to work in some areas, Notley said.
Alberta energy authorities will be supervising the back to oil work process, and they will be the ones who eventually give the green light.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he will visit Fort McMurray Friday, and hailed the work of first responders who evacuated the oil hub of 100,000.
"All Canadians say congratulations to the brave first responders who have been there to do extraordinary work in Fort McMurray," Trudeau said in the House of Commons.
The federal government has promised to help the province of Alberta rebuild and boost the economy. It has been hit hard by the drop in oil prices over the past two years and the latest catastrophe, which forced oil firms to suspend or reduce production in recent days.
Canadian leader to visit forest fire city
Ottawa (AFP) May 10, 2016 –
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will visit the fire-scarred city of Fort McMurray on Friday, as he hailed the work of first responders who evacuated the oil hub of 100,000.
"All Canadians say congratulations to the brave first responders who have been there to do extraordinary work in Fort McMurray," Trudeau said in the House of Commons.
He hailed lawmakers for being "strongly engaged on the ground supporting their fellow citizens," as well as "all Canadians who across the country came together to give incredibly generously to the people of Fort McMurray through the Canadian Red Cross and other ways."
The federal government has promised to help the province of Alberta rebuild, as well as support the economy hit hard by the drop in oil prices over the past two years and the latest catastrophe, which has forced oil firms to suspend or reduce production in recent days.
