Town of Fairview Calls for Moratorium on Northwestern Polytechnic Fairview Campus Closure

The Town of Fairview is urging the provincial government to halt plans to close the Northwestern Polytechnic (NWP) Fairview Campus, calling for a full review and consultation process before any final decision is made.

In a letter sent earlier this week to Alberta’s Minister of Advanced Education, Honourable Myles McDougall, Mayor Gord MacLeod on behalf of Council expressed the town’s “deep concern” over the announced closure, emphasizing the campus’s longstanding role in supporting education, industry, and community development across northern Alberta.

“We respectfully request that a moratorium be placed on this decision to allow time for a full review and open consultation,” wrote Mayor MacLeod. “We ask that all programs and courses continue as planned, and that no assets be removed from campus, until the following actions have been completed.”

The Town is asking for three independent reviews—covering financial matters, the decision-making process behind the closure, and best practices for rural program delivery—alongside a full consultation with stakeholders to explore future options for the campus.

The letter highlights the Fairview Campus’s more than 70-year history, describing it as a cornerstone of the community and a vital hub for education, skills training, and regional innovation.

“The campus is not just an educational institution; it is an anchor for our local economy, a gathering place for innovation, and a symbol of what rural Alberta can achieve when education is accessible close to home,” MacLeod stated.

According to the Town, the closure would have ripple effects extending well beyond Fairview, resulting in fewer opportunities for young people to study and work locally, and threatening the long-term sustainability of northern industries that rely on skilled labour.

Fairview’s council is asking the province to allocate more time and resources to identify viable solutions that would keep the campus open. The letter was also copied to Premier Danielle Smith, Minister of Infrastructure Martin Long, Minister of Municipal Affairs Dan Williams, and Central Peace-Notley MLA Todd Loewen.

“Our community is ready to work collaboratively to ensure that access to education remains in northern Alberta,” MacLeod concluded, “and that rural communities like Fairview continue to thrive.”