Events

Protest Backgrounder

Okotoks, June 9, 2009: Under the guise of the new Provincial Land Use Framework, the Calgary Regional Partnership has created the Calgary Metropolitan Plan (CMP). We believe the CMP is not aligned with the Land Use Framework or with overwhelming grassroots support for a sustainable future for Southern Alberta.  The plan was formed without adequate public input and is opposed by the majority of the rural community.

The shortfalls of the plan are:

•    it advocates regional population growth that exceeds water availability;
•    it facilitates further urban sprawl outside Calgary’s city limits;
•    there is no protection for agricultural and undeveloped land;
•    it fails to incorporate public input in any meaningful way; and
•    it includes a governance model that will allow an urban veto over rural rights.

These shortfalls will all but guarantee further urban sprawl, leading to unprecedented environmental damage to Southern Alberta and fiscal crisis for municipalities.

These concerns have been brought forward to the Calgary Regional Partnership during the public consultation open houses. However, there have not been any significant changes to the draft CMP as a result of public input.

The citizens of our communities will hold all elected officials accountable. We will consider both provincial and municipal politicians who either ratify this plan or do nothing to actively oppose it, directly responsible.

Citizen Groups United for Sustainable Development in Southern Alberta
Who we are:

Priddis-Millarville Residents Association http://www.priddis-millarville.ca
Bearspaw Sensible Development Group http://www.canadianguerilla.com
Central Springbank Task Force for Sustainable Development http://www.ourspringbank.ca
Highway 8 Sensible Development Group
Citizens for a Sustainable Okotoks
Just Say No to a Calgary Veto Petitioners http://www.nocalgaryveto.com
Springbank Community Planning Association

Media Advisory: Community groups protest Calgary Metropolitan Plan

Okotoks, June 9, 2009: The chairs of grassroots rural community development groups surrounding the City of Calgary will be holding a TAILGATE PROTEST to draw attention to serious shortfalls in the Calgary Metropolitan Plan (CMP). The groups believe the CMP needs major revisions before ratification on June 19.

WHEN: Wednesday, June 10, 2009 @ 6:30 p.m.

WHERE: Foothills Centennial Centre, 4, 204 Community Way (located behind the Okotoks RCMP detachment office)  Google Location Here

WHAT: Community leaders will speak briefly about concerns, prior to a formal meeting organized by the MD of Foothills. Speakers on behalf of the protesters to include:

•    Vice-President of the Priddis-Millarville Residents Association, Suzanne Oel;
•    Chair of the Bearspaw Sensible Development Group, Al Sacuta;
•    Co-founder of Citizens for a Sustainable Okotoks, Dr. Nancy Ginzer; and
•    Former Okotoks Town Councillor, Laurie Hodson.

See the attached backgrounder for more information.

Parking is expected to be limited. Additional parking is available at the Centennial hockey arena adjacent to the Foothills Centennial Centre.

Also available for comment is J.C. Anderson, founder of Anderson Exploration, who opposes the CMP. He says, “to place the destiny of the MD landowners and residents completely in the hands of Calgary City Council forever is “simply madness.” More at: https://nocalgaryveto.wordpress.com/2009/06/06/anderson-speaks-out/

For interviews and contact information for all of the above community leaders:

Jody MacPherson
Organizer of the NoCalgaryVeto petition
Cell: 403-560-9369
http://www.nocalgaryveto.com

Tailgate protest planned for June 10 at 6:30 p.m.

If you are unable to view the poster below, please download a PDF version here.

Alberta Land Stewardship Act Info Session on May 14 from 4-8 p.m. in Calgary

You may recall that concerns with Bill 36 were discussed in this blog previously. Here is an opportunity to find out about the Act yourself…Alberta Sustainable Resource Development has issued the following release:

“Edmonton and Calgary residents invited to learn about Bill 36, the Alberta Land Stewardship Act
Events scheduled for Edmonton, May 12, and Calgary, May 14
Edmonton… Keen to talk about the most comprehensive land-use planning approach ever advanced in our province and how it applies to Alberta’s major urban areas?

The Government of Alberta will host open houses in Edmonton and Calgary to provide people in Alberta’s two largest cities the opportunity to learn about Bill 36, the Alberta Land Stewardship Act(ALSA), and how it will support the Land-use Framework.

During consultations about the Land-use Framework, Albertans said they want government to provide leadership in land-use planning. Bill 36 creates the authority for regional plans to meet the unique needs of each region under the Land-use Framework.

The unique needs of Alberta’s two major urban areas are currently being considered through the Capital and Calgary metropolitan plans, immediate priorities under the framework. Both plans are scheduled to be completed this year. Edmonton is part of the North Saskatchewan Region, while Calgary is located in the South Saskatchewan Region. The regions are aligned with Alberta’s watersheds.

“The Capital and Calgary regions face intense growth pressures related to infrastructure, transportation and patterns of development that require a more detailed planning approach,” said Sustainable Resource Development Minister Ted Morton. “Bill 36 will support sustainable growth.”

Government of Alberta staff will be available to discuss the bill and answer questions. The May 12 open house in Edmonton will be held at the Ramada Hotel and Conference Centre, Wildrose Room 3 (11834 Kingsway Avenue). The May 14 Calgary session will be held at the Greenwood Inn and Suites, Evergreen D Room (3515-26 Street NE). The open houses run from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

For more information, visit http://www.landuse.alberta.ca.

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Media inquiries may be directed to:
Josephine Lamy
Communications
Sustainable Resource Development
780-427-8636

To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.

Visit the Government of Alberta newsroom newsroom.alberta.ca.”

Chamber of Commerce and “Friends” to present to Town Council tomorrow

I read with interest the agenda for tomorrow’s Okotoks Town Council meeting. The Okotoks and District Chamber of Commerce President Cathy Huth “will be in attendance to provide information to Council on the results of the
Chamber’s recent survey to its membership regarding the Town’s population cap.”

The package includes a copy of the survey which reads like this:

“Dear Chamber Member,

The Okotoks and District Chamber of Commerce is seeking feedback
from its members regarding the proposed Calgary Regional Land Use
Plan and how it might affect Okotoks in the future.

It is our mandate to be aware of changing government policies and
to bring them to the business community for your feed back so
that you have a voice in the decision making of this region.

The Calgary Regional Partnership is a volunteer group of 17
municipalities and 1 First Nation who have come together in the
spirit of cooperation to plan for a sustainable future.  Together
they have been collaborating on common regional issues. (To read
more about the CRP please go to http://www.calgaryregion.ca/crp/).
This region includes as far North as Crossfield – East to
Wheatland County – West to Banff and South to Nanton.

It is estimated that around 1.75 million new people will join the
already 1.1 million residents who live in our region over the
next 50-75 years.  It is our responsibility to plan now for
future generations.

The regional plan looks at the following questions:

Where will everyone live?
Where will they work?
How will this growth impact the environment?
The economy?
The infrastructure?
Our quality of life?
How can we ensure we grow in a way that reflects our regions
values?

Okotoks implemented a growth model in 1998 that limited its
population to 30,000 people.  With the new Regional Land Use
Plan, Okotoks would be required to absorb some of the speculated
population increase. Mayor and Council are currently reviewing
that 1998 population cap.

You as a business person could provide us with important input
that we could then relay to our local government.

Please indicate below:

Providing that water sources are available, I support removing
the population cap and expanding our boarders while continuing to
practice sustainable development. 

I would prefer that we stay with the plan initiated in 1998
maintaining a population cap of 30,000 people.

Comments:

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Please forward your response to the Chamber Office by fax
403) 938-6649 or email okotokschamber@telus.net no later than
Monday, March 30th.  Responses will be compiled and forwarded to
the Town Council.

Also, for Town residents, please watch for a Census/Survey pack
coming out the first week of April.  It is important that you
respond to that survey as well.

Cathy Huth,
President”

I find the wording of the survey quite interesting. The first choice says, “Providing that water sources are available…” It is clear that there is no certainty at all that water sources are available. So far, all that has been looked at is water LICENSES. And those licenses are notoriously out of date and don’t take the effects of climate change into consideration. They also require Calgarians to substantially decrease their water consumption–all to make more water available to we folks out in Okotoks who are thirsty…

Secondly the wording goes on to say, “…I support removing the population cap and expanding our boarders (sic) while continuing to practice sustainable development.” Well, everything apparently constitutes sustainable development these days, including removing a population cap that is based on water supply and expanding our footprint to include more land and take over neighbouring properties!!

This is akin to saying “I support removing the limits on the amount of household garbage that people put out and expanding the size of the landfill while continuing to practice waste reduction.” Will the political doublespeak never end?

Let’s call a spade a spade for a change…unlimited growth and expanding borders to accommodate that growth can not be considered “sustainable” under any possible definition of the word! The definition of sustainability at its most basic is, “capable of being continued with minimal long-term effect on the environment.” There is only so much water and so much land to accommodate everyone.

If you can attend the presentation tomorrow and voice your concerns, please do so and report back. Thanks.

Next Okotoks Open Houses March 12 and March 14

The next Town of Okotoks Public Information and Consultation Sessions on the Calgary Regional Partnership will be held:

Thursday, March 12, 2009 from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm in the Council Chambers, 5 Elizabeth Street AND Saturday, March 14, 2009 from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm (drop-in format with a scheduled formal presentation at 11:00 am)

A presentation will be provided by Town staff that will include an overview of CRP’s Regional Land Use Plan as well as Okotoks’ Municipal Development Plan and Inter-Municipal Development Plan, and a few highlights to the changes necessary to facilitate the various growth scenarios. These sessions will provide information as well as interactive opportunities for the public to make inquiries and discuss the past and future plans for Okotoks. (Source: Town of Okotoks website)

Please attend a presentation and find out more about the Calgary Regional Partnership. Make up your mind for yourself about whether you want to give Calgary a veto!