Alberta Shines As Minister Withdraws Bill 29

The bill threatened the natural integrity of Alberta's parks

Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) is applauding Albertans and the Alberta Government for putting our wilderness first by withdrawing the proposed Alberta Parks Act-Bill 29.  Announced today in the midst of Alberta Legislature, Minister Ady stood up for the protection of Alberta parks as she withdrew the controversial Bill 29 and announced that a public consultation will be held for future parks legislation.

“We are overjoyed to see the Minister putting wilderness first and taking the right steps in ensuring Canada’s natural beauty, which attracts people from all over the globe, continues to prosper,” said Éric Hébert-Daly, CPAWS National Executive Director.

The Bill, introduced into legislature on November 4th, proposed a new  parks system that could compromise protected areas, such as World Heritage Sites,  by opening them up to commercial development and other activities that could seriously affect the ecological integrity of our nation’s parks systems.  CPAWS and other conservation groups, along with Alberta citizens, rallied to express their opposition to Bill 29, and it is evident that the Alberta government listened.

“We thank Minister Ady for listening to the voices of Albertans and Canadians who cherish the protection of Alberta’s parks. We look forward to working with the minister to ensure that new legislation continues to place the protection of our wilderness as a priority,” said Sarah Elmeligi, Senior Conservation Planner for Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society.

“We support an extensive public consultation process developing any new parks legislation to assure that Albertans’ wants and concerns are addressed,” says Elmeligi.
 

The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) is Canada’s pre-eminent, national community-based voice for public wilderness protection. Since 1963 CPAWS has taken a lead role in establishing two-thirds of Canada’s protected wild spaces — an area over seven times the size of Nova Scotia.

For more information:

  • Sarah Elmeligi — CPAWS, Southern Alberta Chapter:  403-688-8641, or
  • Katherine Thompson — CPAWS, Northern Alberta Chapter: 780-432-0967