Development Could Trump Environment After Alberta Election

EDMONTON, Alberta, Canada, November 17, 2004 (ENS) - Albertans go to the polls November 22 to elect a provincial government, and the environment has emerged as a major issue in the campaign after a leaked government report shows restructuring plans would undercut the environmental department in Canada's top oil producing province.

Dr. Raj Pannu, deputy leader of the provincial New Democratic Party and candidate in Edmonton Strathcona, was joined by environmental groups Sunday in raising the alarm about the impact of restructuring on environmental protection.

Alberta Premier Ralph Klein heads a Conservative, or Tory, government. (Photo courtesy Office of the Premier)

Conservationists fear the premier is taking aim at environmental protections, in the interest of making it easier for industry to develop resources. "Tory-style restructuring is going to undermine environmental protection in Alberta," warned Pannu, a sociology professor and MLA for Edmonton Stratcona since 1997.

An internal Klein government report leaked to the New Democrats states that approval for industry projects - including environmental approvals - should be housed with the department responsible for their industry, using a "one-window" approach advocated by industry representatives.

Under this plan, the Department of Energy would handle energy projects and the Department of Sustainable Resource Development would approve forestry projects. Intensive livestock applications would go through the Natural Resources Conservation Board.

Dr. Raj Pannu, deputy leader of the provincial New Democratic Party and candidate in Edmonton Strathcona has served in the Alberta Legislature since 1997. (Photo courtesy Office of the MLA)

"Alberta Environment is being stripped of its power to assess the environmental impact of industrial projects," says Pannu. "This does not bode well for the health of our environment."

The 25 page leaked document "A Proposal for Regulating Resource Development," is dated December 2002, which suggests the government has been working on the restructuring since then.

Environment Minister Lorne Taylor, who is not seeking re-election, told the "Edmonton Sun" that any plans for change will be brought out for public discussion once the government has a better idea of what it wants to do and how to do it.

"No decisions have been made," he said. "We're just in the early stages of discussion. I don't see it happening for at least three to four years."

But Pannu expressed concern that environmental protections are being weakened behind closed doors. "Albertans are worried that the Tories are doing irreparable damage to the environment, and they want action," he said. "This latest move signals that government is listening to industry, not Albertans."

Alberta Liberal Leader Dr. Kevin Taft, author of books critical of the Conservative management style, has been an MLA since 2001 representing Edmonton Riverview. (Photo courtesy Office of the MLA)

Leader Kevin Taft says Alberta's current energy boom offers an opportunity to create "a truly remarkable" future.

Premier Klein shrugged off the Liberal proposal, saying Albertans do not want the government to stimulate the economy.

NDP candidate Pannu is keeping his eye on the environment. "The Alberta NDP is the only party that has a serious commitment to a greener Alberta built into our platform," he said. "If Albertans want to send a message about environmental protection, they need to vote NDP."

Canada is the eighth largest oil producing country in the world, and Alberta is the top provincial oil producer at 720,000 barrels per day.