On behalf of our many members, CRCAG extends its congratulations to the United Conservative Party for its victory this week to form our next provincial government. We know it was a challenging campaign for all involved.
We look forward to continuing our close work with our newly elected representatives on all flood-related matters, in order to protect the lives, livelihoods, and properties of Calgary and all southern Alberta from the next inevitable flood.
Jason Kenney will be the 5th Premier we’ll engage with since the 2013 flood, and CRCAG has been one of the few consistent voices through all the changes in governments and provincial administrations these last six years.
All our elected representatives have come to understand the fundamental risks facing this city and province, and once they’ve reviewed all the science and study done, they’ve all picked up the work of the prior administrations to move it forward and not squander the opportunity to complete the work necessary. Given the huge personal, emotional and financial costs borne by thousands of people to earn this opportunity, it must be done.
The UCP has committed to completing the work that’s now underway on the Springbank Project, and we know they’ll see it through as quickly as possible.
The next immediate step is to provide to the CEAA and NRCB the answers to the “Supplemental Information Requests” issued, to re-start the regulatory clock (now at 110 of 365 days). This is expected very shortly after the new Transportation Minister is sworn in. We’re on it.
- Most recent regulatory update: Federal gov’t announces $168.5 million funding for Springbank Off-Stream Reservoir (SR1)
A few thank-you’s
We would like to express our gratitude to the NDP for committing to this work and for all the substantive steps they accomplished these last four years. In particular, former Transportation Minister Brian Mason has been a vocal and focused supporter of this work, and he and the staff in the Ministry have been terrific to deal with. We expect that to continue with whomever the next Transportation Minister is, and anticipate that the same productive working relationship will continue.
Of course, we believe we all owe Greg Clark a real debt of gratitude for his tremendous work on flood-related issues, the Springbank Project in particular, and his overall representation of Calgary-Elbow. Smart, balanced, articulate and doggedly passionate through a tough four year slog, Greg has been a tremendous representative. The Legislature and all Albertans benefited from his energetic public service and we remain fortunate to have him as a friend and neighbour.
Moving forward
We’ve come to know Doug Schweitzer these past few months and we know he’s fully committed to this work, as now is the UCP. We’re confident the Springbank Project can be completed and operational before the end of this mandate, so long as promises are fulfilled and efforts are sustained.
CRCAG will continue the effort to see this in-flight project completed and we will not flag or take anything for granted. And we’ll continue to push progress on the Bow River to see those commitments realized.
This is heavy lifting, but with the support of our members and the people we all put into office because of the promises they make, we believe this city and southern Alberta can finally achieve the measure of flood protection warranted of any world-class place.
As always, onward,
Your CRCAG Board