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. Drawing on in-depth interviews, 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.

Keywords:

• boomtowns
• disorder
• rapid growth
• risk
• sense of community
• youth

Acknowledgments

This research project was made possible through a Doctoral Fellowship provided by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. I would like to thank all of the participants who took time to speak with me and the anonymous reviewers for their very helpful comments. I would also like to thank Gillian Ranson, Harvey Krahn, and Tom Langford for helpful suggestions throughout this research project.

Additional information

Funding

This research project was made possible through funding support from the University of Calgary and the University of Wisconsin – Superior.

Notes on contributors

Christopher D. O’Connor

Christopher D. O’Connor is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT). He earned his PhD in Sociology at the University of Calgary in 2010. His research focuses on boomtowns, policing, young people’s participation in crime, and school-to-work transitions.