UCP DENIES LOCAL MLA VOICE ON BOW VALLEY HUMAN-WILDLIFE COMMITTEE IN SHORTSIGHTED DECISION THAT COULD UNDERMINE SAFETY EFFORTS

By -Sarah Elmeligi – Banff-Kananaskis MLA

Minister Loewen is preventing me from sitting on the Human-wildlife coexistence roundtable despite the fact that all MLAs before me have, I literally wrote a book on the subject and have broad professional expertise, stakeholders have requested my presence, and it’s literally my job to represent my constituents in this conversation to ensure their safety. This short sighted, partisan decision is frustrating and problematic in many ways. Here’s the full news release:

UCP DENIES LOCAL MLA VOICE ON BOW VALLEY HUMAN-WILDLIFE COMMITTEE IN SHORTSIGHTED DECISION THAT COULD UNDERMINE SAFETY EFFORTS

BANFF – UCP Minister of Forestry and Parks Todd Loewen has denied Alberta NDP Banff-Kananaskis MLA Sarah Elmeligi a seat on a local stakeholder committee focused on human-wildlife safety, despite the work being part of her professional career before running for office.

On Nov. 21, MLA Elmeligi wrote to Minister Loewen requesting a seat on the Human-Wildlife Coexistence Roundtable, which was formed in 2017 and has always had a seat for the local MLA, no matter the party. (The original letter is attached to the release). The group consists of representatives from Parks Canada, Alberta Parks, Alberta Environment (Fish and Wildlife and Land Stewardship divisions), and the Towns of Canmore and Banff. This group researched and discussed human-wildlife coexistence tools and created a detailed report with 28 recommendations to improve coexistence in the Bow Valley.

Late last week, Loewen responded that there would be no space for the local MLA.

“This is purely a partisan decision that is denying a local voice for the people of Banff-Kananaskis,” Elmeligi said. “I have expertise to bring to this table as well.

“The UCP is being petty and punishing my constituents for their decision in the election — this is a shortsighted.

“At the end of the day, this comes down to safety. Working with stakeholders to improve public safety is part of my job as MLA, especially with the two bear fatalities and numerous conflict situations in our communities this fall alone. This is a public safety issue, and it is my responsibility to be part of these important discussions.”

Elmeligi noted the Bow Valley, consisting of the communities of Exshaw, Deadman’s Flats, Canmore, Banff, and Lake Louise, is one of the only places in North American where a full suite of native carnivores continues to survive among a high density of human development.

She has also spoken to representatives with the Town of Canmore, the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley, the former roundtable co-chair from Parks Canada, and the Yellowstone to Yukon Initiative who all supported her being on the roundtable and a member of the technical working group that helps develop recommendations for consideration. Some of those even sent supportive letters on her behalf, Elmeligi said.

The technical working group was due to meet Monday and the roundtable would next convene a discussion in March or April.

Media inquiries
Malissa Dunphy
780-940-3877
malissa.dunphy@assembly.ab.ca

#abpoli #SarahElmeligi #MLA #Banff-Kananaskis #Loewen #environment #safety #roundtable #denied

BREAKING: Appeals Court Allows Youth Lawsuit Against Canadian Climate Policy

A constitutional challenge pitting 15 Canadian youth against federal climate change policy has new life, following a court of appeals ruling yesterday reversing previous decision that the case should not go to trial.

La Rose v. His Majesty the King “argues that the youth are already being harmed by climate change and the federal government is violating their rights to life, liberty, and security of the person under section 7 of Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms for failing to protect essential public trust resources,” explains Our Children’s Trust, a U.S. non-profit that is backing the case along with the David Suzuki Foundation and the Pacific Centre for Environmental Law and Litigation. “The lawsuit asks the Federal Court of Canada to declare that the government’s conduct violates the Charter and the government’s public trust duties.”

“The claim of a right to a healthy and livable environment, and the legislative sanctioning of something less, explores the scope of section 7 and tests its boundaries,” he wrote. “The argument is novel, but it is not doomed to fail.”

More generally, “courts should be cautious in striking claims at an early stage,” the judge added. “The law is not static and unchanging—actions that were deemed hopeless yesterday may succeed tomorrow. It is for this reason that courts must be cautious about striking claims and err on the side of allowing novel but arguable claims to proceed.”

“Climate change’s current and potential effects are widespread and grave, they include loss of land and culture, food insecurity, injury and death,” and Supreme Court references on the federal Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act “noted that climate change is an existential challenge, a threat of the highest order to the country, and to the future of humanity which cannot be ignored,” Rennie wrote. “If these do not constitute special circumstances, it is hard to conceive that any such circumstances could ever exist; however this remains to be determined by the trial judge.” Read more https://www.theenergymix.com/breaking-appeals-court-allows-youth-lawsuit-against-canadian-climate-policy/| theenergymix.com/breaking-appe…

#cdnpoli #FederalCourt #ClimateChange #youth #DavidSuzuki #charter #environment #litigation #violation