Restricted access to Fort McMurray's worst hit areas has been extended

Restricted access to the Fort McMurray neighbourhoods worst hit by last month's fire has been extended by Wood Buffalo Municipal Council.

The controlled access bylaw gives council the power to restrict access to the Waterways, Abasand, and Beacon Hill neighbourhoods after the state of emergency ends June 30th. 

But at the first council meeting held in Fort McMurray since the fire, many residents expressed anger they were still barred from their undamaged homes.

"I don't know why I have to feel like a criminal in my own home," Waterways resident Gene Ouellette told councillors. "I know it's good, there's no smell of smoke. I had my insurance adjuster there today."

Ouellette and many of his fellow residents said they haven't received a clear timeline for their return. 

"I think there would be a lot of understanding, and a lot of people willing to work with you if you just communicate," said Ouellette. "Say 'Hey, we are going to clean this area up, in this time, and we need everybody out.' "

The fine for illegal entry into the worst-hit neighbourhoods is between $1,000 and $10,000. People who don't pay the fine face six months in jail. 

Chief legislative officer David Leflar had to tell the crowd several times that the fines do not apply to people who live in those neighbourhoods. 

"If a person is found there and refuses to leave," Leflar said, "I would presume you would want the ability to issue them a ticket and fine them. Not the residents."

Let families go home if they can

Councillors passed the bylaw by a 9-2 margin after it was amended to remove heavy fines and jail time for illegal entry by residents,

Coun. Keith McGrath was one of the votes against. He agreed with the changes, but feels the bylaw delays reentry for those with undamaged homes.

"People that have free-standing homes in the devastated areas, they can use independent consultants to get the toxicology and soil samples, said McGrath.

"If these places are livable, then why not let these families come home because at the end of the day, if people want to come home, we should knock down every wall possible to make sure that happens."

Coun. Lance Bussieres lost his home in the fire, but voted in favour of the bylaw.

He was in support of the amendment that requires council to review the need for the bylaw in six weeks rather than 90 days.

"I can tell you there are a lot of people in this city that don't have options" said Bussieres.

"There are going to be people, unfortunately that cannot rebuild because insurance monies will run out or whatever."

"I hope tomorrow morning, we as a council, and our administration, [will] try to do a better job for our citizens," said Bussieres. "Because I think we just kicked them in the private parts tonight as hard as we could."

The council will meet again on Tuesday.