The Alternative: Respecting the Rights of Alberta’s People
From the badlands of southern Alberta to the crystal clear lakes and boreal forests of the north, this province has something new and exciting to offer around every corner.
What are sometimes forgotten in the day to day business of this province are the rights of the people who have lived here from the very beginning. Some groups around our province, particularly in the north where oil reserves are abundant, say they’ve been left out of the consultation process that typically occurs before oil and gas development.
Many groups, such as the Lubicon Cree band in the Peace River area, want to be involved in the consultation process, because they’re concerned about the potential environmental impact of development, as well as the potential risk to their health and way of life.
The Alberta Liberal Opposition recognizes the integral role that Alberta’s oil and gas reserves play in the province’s economy. However, we also believe it’s important to balance the interests of industry with public health concerns and environmental sustainability.
Alberta Liberal MLAs Maurice Tougas, Bruce Miller and David Swann recently traveled to the Lubicon settlement of Little Buffalo to hear first hand the concerns of the people. What they found was that the Lubicon band are not at all averse to oil development on the land they claim as their own, but that they simply want to be consulted by the companies wishing to drill in the area.
This spring, Deep Well Oil and Gas began clear cutting trees and building access roads without any consultation with the Lubicon people, and without prior approval from the EUB. After Liberal Opposition MLAs raised questions in the Legislature this spring regarding the unapproved activity, the oil company was issued a suspension order.
The potential effects of oil and gas development in the Lubicon Cree area could include destruction of historic trap lines and damage to fish stocks. Damage to the ecological integrity of Sawn and Haig lakes, which are currently in pristine condition, could also be a concern.
The Liberal Opposition believes that all affected parties should be consulted before oil and gas development occurs. Groups like the Lubicon Cree have a right to present their concerns to the EUB, as development could affect their traditional way of life. They deserve guarantees that development will impact the natural environment as little as possible, and they deserve to receive compensation for any damage incurred.
The Liberal Opposition would like to see policies implemented to ensure an equilibrium between resource extraction and the interests of the environment and communities affected adversely by large scale development. Some potential measures include:
- Allowing public representation on the Energy and Utilities Board
- Requiring companies to conduct cumulative impact assessments to examine the possible long term consequences of oil and gas activity in particular areas.
- Requiring abandoned oil sites to be reclaimed and ensuring that subsurface testing is conducted to determine whether the sites are safe.
While development of our oil and gas reserves is integral to our economy, it has to occur in a manner that respects the rights of families, communities, and ecosystems.