Wheatland County council passed second and third reading to make textual amendments to its West Highway 1 Area Structure Plan and Land Use Bylaw for the proposed DeHavilland Field aircraft manufacturing facility following a public hearing during the regular Tuesday, August 15 council meeting.
These amendments will allow DeHavilland Aircraft of Canada to construct a new aircraft manufacturing facility within the county, including an “associated aerospace facility and businesses,” as well as place shipping containers for temporary storage and “move parts and equipment to the site prior to construction of the aerodrome facility.”
“The developer, DeHavilland Aircraft of Canada, is proposing to construct a new aircraft manufacturing facility which will consist of an aircraft assembly facility, parts, manufacturing, and distribution centre, maintenance repair, overhaul facility, runway, and associated commercial and industrial uses,” explained Community and Development Services general manager Sherry Baers during the meeting.
Several stakeholders and ratepayers were in attendance during the public hearing portion of the meeting, with some stepping forward to speak both in favour and against the proposed DeHavilland Field development.
Strathmore Wheatland Chamber of Commerce executive director Natasha Fyfe was among those who spoke in favour of the development. She noted the potential positive economic impacts the development could have for Wheatland County, between the creation of “hundreds of jobs during the development phase,” along with the estimated 1,500 jobs DeHavilland Field would generate.
Along with the benefit of bringing jobs to the region, the proposed development will also help to attract new residents and businesses. Developer Neal Coulter, who is behind the Lakewood Meadows development in the Town of Strathmore, touted the neighbourhood development has seen a surge in purchases since DeHavilland first announced its intention to build in Wheatland County, which has allowed the developer to not only sell some 30 lots in Phase 1 of the development, but has also allowed them to bring forward Phase 2; nearly 90 per cent of lots in Phase 2 have already been sold.
Despite support, several landowners were also in attendance and expressed their concerns for the DeHavilland Field project.
A primary concern for some of the landowners was the loss of prime agricultural land, and impacts on property values for surrounding and adjacent landowners. While it is anticipated these values will increase, this could put a damper on those agricultural producers looking to expand in the area if land prices were to rise. It was also questioned what impacts having a development, which will include factories, will have on adjacent properties in close proximity to the facility, and the noise impacts of a proposed road diversion through the area.
Another concern was whether the economic benefits touted by those in support would actually have any impact on Wheatland County. One landowner expressed, with the City of Calgary and other municipalities in close proximity to DeHavilland Field, whether any of the proposed 1,500 jobs at the DeHavilland Field would go towards people living in Wheatland County or to people living in Calgary, Strathmore, or other municipalities.
Likewise, landowners expressed concerns, while DeHavilland Field itself would bring tax revenue to Wheatland County that the municipality would miss out on other residential developments which will spring up in neighbouring municipalities like the City of Chestermere or Strathmore.
Following the public hearing, Wheatland County council provided some clarity to landowners in attendance. Council members expressed their gratitude for a business such as DeHavilland considering the county, and explained the tax revenue and employment opportunities generated by the development could help retain youth who may otherwise leave rural areas due to a lack of job opportunities with room for growth and advancement. They also acknowledged that much of the land within Wheatland County is agricultural, but that diversification is necessary for the sustainability of the county due to a disproportionate amount of taxes received from agricultural properties.
Council gave second and third reading to both amendments to the West Highway 1 Area Structure Plan, redesignated lands for the DeHavilland Field from the Agriculture General District to a Direct Control District, and made textual amendments to allow DeHavilland to place storage containers temporarily on the parcels.

The province is $94 million ahead of where it expected to be, according to MLA for Drumheller Stettler and President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance Nate Horner.
Horner delivered the first quarter fiscal update, which shows the province is on course to a $2.4 billion surplus by the end of the fiscal year. This is up $94 million from what was budgeted.
“Alberta’s finances remain strong, and thanks to our new fiscal framework, Alberta’s fiscal position is poised to become even stronger. Our continued priorities of paying down debt and saving for the future will ensure we have the capacity to meet Albertans’ needs both today and well into the future,” said Horner.
With the province’s new fiscal framework, it is required to use half of the surplus cash to pay down debt. With this update, the province is on track with its plan to eliminate $2.6 billion in taxpayer-supported debt. In 2023-24, the total amount available for allocation is forecast at $5.2 billion, which includes $5.1 billion carried over from the 2022-23 final results.
The remaining surplus will be allocated to the Alberta fund. From there it can be used for further repayment or squirrelled away in the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund.
Revenue in the forecast is up $491 million and is driven by an increase in corporate and professional income tax revenues, projected to be a $1.5 billion increase.
Oil revenues have fallen overall. Revenue resources are projected to decrease by $694 million. While bitumen royalties are projected to increase by $515 million, the price of a barrel of oil is now about $4 less than what Budget 2023 was based on.
Expenses are forecasted to be $68.7 billion, a $397 increase from the budget.
According to a release disastrous wildfires in the province have also added to unforeseen expenses. The province has directed $750 million for fighting this year’s wildfires. Another $175 million is budgeted for uninsurable losses, $75 million of which is expected to be covered by the federal government, and $55 million, mainly for emergency evacuation payments.
“Our positive numbers today are a testament to the resilience we continue to build in the province’s finances and Alberta’s economy as we retain our position as the economic engine of Canada,” said Horner.