FORT MACLEOD, AB: (Friday), Wildrose Municipal Affairs Shadow Minister Pat Stier called on the NDP government to extend the consultation period on the creation of a new provincial park in the Castle region by six months.
The NDP provided a 30-day window for public consultation after it made the decision to re-designate the area. The deadline is Oct. 5.
“It’s simply unacceptable that this decision was sprung on municipal officials, industry, stakeholders and the public with such a short consultation window attached. To make matters worse, consultation was avoided with some municipalities,” Stier said. “The timeline must be expanded by at least six months to allow for a complete and thorough process for all individuals and groups affected.”
Stier said past proposals like the installation of major power transmission lines in southern Alberta and the creation of the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan involved significant public consultation on a step-by-step basis.
“Any major land use proposal must pass the scrutiny of stakeholder groups and the public. The credibility of these project rely on it,” Stier said. “The NDP government must take a step back and develop a more thorough review, before putting this new legislation in place.”