When pressed on whether he supports the Springbank Off-stream Reservoir Project – Calgary’s only hope for flood protection on the Elbow River – UCP Leader Jason Kenney said he is not committed to any one proposal. Wait … what?

As reported in the Calgary Herald, he said “some of the opponents of Springbank have raised some reasonable concerns” and that he would take “expert advice” on the project. Really?

Expert advice? Here’s a start:

• Alberta Environment and Parks Flood Mitigation Studies
• City of Calgary Flood Mitigation Measures Assessment
• Review of Springbank Off-Stream Reservoir and Maclean Creek flood storage options

Anyone who has read even a fraction of the mounds of available information on the Springbank project and alternative proposals, reaches the same conclusion – that Springbank is the only viable solution for flooding on the Elbow River.

This conclusion is supported by the City of Calgary, the federal government, and two successive and ideologically distinct provincial governments; all of whom have already committed all the funds necessary to see it done.

Any concerns raised by the opponents – to the extent they are reasonable and bona fide – need to be addressed by mitigations within the Springbank project – and not by project avoidance.

Where do you stand, Mr. Kenney?

As we all know, the New Democrats and the Alberta Party are in full-throated support of the Springbank project as the best mitigation solution on the Elbow River. Period.

The fact the UCP Leader has not taken a clear stance in favour of the Springbank project is scary and completely unacceptable. 

Anyone who gets informed, gets on board. 

Hopefully this is just a question of time – and once Mr. Kenney has been briefed on the matter, we’ll hear a clear statement and a rally from his team in full support of this critical infrastructure. 

But, with party platforms being set over the coming weeks, time is running out.

We want a clear and unequivocal statement that the Springbank project is and will be the project of choice, without further study or delay, and that it will proceed on its current schedule, should the UCP form the next government.

Read the full article from the Calgary Herald here.

Feel free to send a clear message directly to Mr. Kenney on this. His contact information is available here.

Regards,

Your CRCAG Board