We did it! Alberta Parks pulled back from brink of disaster

Please Send a Thank-You

Please take a moment to write a short, personal thank-you letter to Alberta Tourism, Parks & Recreation Minister, Cindy Ady and Premier Ed Stelmach.  (Also copied to the opposition MLAs who helped to get the controversial legislation pulled).  Below the update are some tips for your letter.

YOU DID IT!  We did it, thanks to your prompt letters & phone calls. 

Thursday afternoon, Nov. 25th at the Alberta Legislature, the Minister withdrew the controversial parks legislation (Bill 29) and said she will consult with the public.  See Sierra Club Canada's news release.

The government had been pushing Bill 29 through to pass before December 2nd.  It would have dismantled Alberta's parks network, including directly threatening World Heritage Sites and removing laws protecting sanctuaries for wildlife and people - our Wilderness Areas and Ecological Reserves.  Protection would no longer have been the priority inside any of the parks. 

TIPS FOR YOUR LETTER

• Thank the Minister for withdrawing the proposed parks legislation (Bill 29) and undertaking to consult with the public and First Nations.
• Indicate that you prefer that she to work on new parks and regulations to protect Natural Areas, rather than new legislation.  (The previous government established 81 new parks and expanded 13 under the existing legislation, so the legislation isn't the hold up for new parks.)

We haven't provided sample text below because the AB government considers the total of all form letters received as being just one letter.

For more information:

• Minister's news release.
• On value of parks, government brochure.

• On the current classes of parks in Alberta.