Insiders and outsiders: social change, deviant others, and sense of community in a boomtown
Abstract
In the last decade, the city of Fort McMurray, Alberta has undergone significant social changes due to the rapid growth of the oilsands industry in and around the city. In this short period of time, Fort Murray’s population has more than doubled attracting migrants from all over Canada and internationally to fill labor shortages in the city. In the process, Fort McMurray has become a twenty-first century boomtown. This article examines how young people and (adult) key informants perceived disorder, crime, risk, and boomtown living. It was found that participants drew a sharp distinction between those who contributed to the community by making Fort McMurray a home (the insiders) and those who did not (the outsiders). Blame for many of the negative aspects (i.e., disorder, crime, and risks) that came along with boomtown living was attributed to these outsiders.
Notes
Open-access – No
Location
Fort McMurray, Alberta
Key recommendations
NA
Key populations
Inidividuals living in the city of Fort McMurray who were students and worker
Key findings
The participants made a distinction between those immigrants who treat Fort McMurray as home and those immigrants who rather lack interest in contributing to the community. The former is defined as ‘insiders’ while the latter is viewed as ‘outsiders’ in this research. It’s the outsiders, as opposed to insiders, who are largely believed by the research participants responsible for crime, disorder and risks growing in the city Fort MacMurray.
Gaps identified
NA
Community organizations
NA
Integration timeline
At what point during the integration process the study was conducted?
NA