Hey, Reddave, welcome to the (black) gold rush.

I live in the Edmonton area, and do a little training/documentation work for the oilpatch.

Usually, your employer will provide specialty safety equipment (such as breathing apparatus), but appropriate clothing is usually your responsibility. Depends on your contract, of course.

I strongly recommend you buy your work clothing locally. There are specific requirements for working on these sites, and EU standards might not be considered equivalent. You shouldn't have a problem finding gear -- lots of safety supply stores around here supply the oilpatch. Not cheap, but good quality gear.

You can't usually wear synthetics on the job unless they're specially treated to be flame retardant. This rule applies from the skin out. If you have merino woolies, tops and bottoms, bring them along.

Ditto what aardwolfe said about accommodation in Fort McMurray. Strongly suggest you have a place to stay before you come up. Lots of guys stay in camp (company trailer "hotels" beside the site) and then fly back to Edmonton/Calgary/B.C. when they're done their two week shift.

The farther north you go in Alberta, the fewer breaks you get from Arctic high pressure systems (that's the cold, cold air, often slides across from Siberia). You should have some time to acclimatize; winter doesn't really start until November, and the worst of the cold is after Christmas. You'll get a cold snap or two beforehand (usually) to get a taste of it.

It's not hard to operate down to, say, -20 C. Below that, it's a bit of a nuisance, and everything takes longer. But if there's a job to do, you just bundle up, fashion be damned, and go.

Getting by in the cold is 50% dressing for the conditions, and 50% acclimatizing and attitude. I go through this every year; the human body (and mind) gets the knack of it after a while.

Lots of guys put disposable handwarmers in their boots, mitts, against their kidneys (parkas have pouches for this), and against their electronics (radios, gas detectors) during cold spells. Helpful especially if you're not moving around much.

As to beer: no problem. Lots of good microbrews available, and international varieties too. (You won't be stuck with Coors Lite, though you can get it if you want.)

As to Calgary: I've seen it, close up. I have family down there. A traffic jam with a nice view of the mountains. Hm.

Good luck!