At the Monday, May 9 Special Council Meeting, Courtenay City Council expressed their support to the Fort McMurray region in Alberta following that city’s massive wildfire and evacuation.

Along with a resolution to write to Mayor and Council of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, Council also voted unanimously to send $2,500 from community gaming funds as a donation to the Canadian Red Cross Alberta Fires Emergency Appeal.

“This fire in and around Fort McMurray is an extraordinary event, and we join the rest of Canada and indeed the world in expressing our support to this community that has suffered such losses,” said Courtenay Mayor Larry Jangula. “For Council to approve a donation of this sort is quite rare, but given the magnitude of the situation, we want Fort McMurray to know that they have the support of the City of Courtenay.”

Council also encouraged citizens, as they are able, to donate to the Canadian Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.