Glenbow Ranch supporters say public input period on flood mitigation too rushed
Of three Bow River flood mitigation options being considered by the province, Glenbow Ranch promises the greatest results according to a government report.
But the cost is simply too high, say park lovers: roughly one-third of the 3,300-acre (1,335-hectare) park would be impacted in a future severe flood event.
It would also require a major rail line to be relocated within the park to keep goods flowing along the economic corridor.
"The results would be catastrophic," said Jeromy Farkas, Glenbow Ranch Foundation CEO.
"We have thousands of acres of green space lost, not to mention permanently destroying the dream of a Calgary to Cochrane trail connection."
The public feedback window opened on April 15 and closes on May 6.
"It's not enough to go to this obscure website and click this online link," Farkas said.
"I'm very engaged with this and it took me 25 minutes to fill out this survey."
Monday, the province used the park as a backdrop for a $223-million private investment announcement for the southern Alberta town of Coaldale, saying it represented the importance of rail networks.
When asked about the impact of the potential dam, Jobs Minister Matt Jones deferred to the environment ministry.
"[I'd] encourage everybody to participate in the consultation process because of course, we have to get it right and we don't want any unintended consequences," Jones said.
According to a timeline published on Alberta.ca, a decision is expected in early 2025.
From there, engineering and regulatory approvals would begin, with a final decision to come in 2030, nearly two decades after the devastating 2013 flood.
You can leave feedback here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre says Canadians 'fleeing' to Nicaragua, Liberals say it shows he 'doesn't have a clue'
Liberal parliamentarians are criticizing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre over a new video in which he promotes the idea that some Canadians are 'fleeing' Canada to live in Nicaragua because they can't afford a house in this country.
Canadians are eyeing moves to these cities for more affordable housing
Faced with elevated housing prices, half of Canadians in the country's largest cities are considering moving to places with more affordable housing.
Police move on pro-Palestinian protesters at UBC campus
Police have moved on pro-Palestinian protesters at the University of British Columbia campus in Vancouver, with video on social media showing lines of officers advancing on demonstrators rallying at a main intersection.
Infant dies in ATV crash, N.S. RCMP says alcohol may be a factor
An infant has died and three others, including another child, were taken to hospital following an ATV crash in Forties, N.S., on Monday.
'Do not drive': Nissan warns Canadian drivers of explosion risk impacting 48,000 vehicles
Car manufacturer Nissan has issued a do-not-drive warning for some older vehicles equipped with Takata airbag inflators, due to the risk of explosion during a crash.
'Scandals and secrets': On board the world's most exclusive private residential ship
It’s a floating city exclusively home to the 1 per cent, a playground for multimillionaires and billionaires that circumnavigates the world's oceans.
Tessa Virtue reveals she's expecting her first child. Here's what Canadians had to say
Canadian figure-skating icon Tessa Virtue is expecting her first child, she revealed via social media Tuesday.
Charges against world's top golfer Scottie Scheffler dropped after arrest outside PGA Championship
Criminal charges against Scottie Scheffler have been dismissed, ending a legal saga that began with images of the world’s top male golfer being arrested and handcuffed in Louisville during the PGA Championship.
How Trump's hush money trial verdict could affect the 2024 election
Here is how three potential outcomes from the jury room ─ a guilty verdict, an acquittal or a hung jury ─ could affect the presidential campaign.