Outlawed where next?

As per the pre-existing South Saskatchewan Regional Plan (SSRP), OHV and other impacted stakeholders have been repeatedly told by Minister Phillips that OHV designated trails will continue in the Castle. Were they wrong to expect her to be informed, forthright, act in good faith?

When associations, clubs and rural communities, long representing responsible OHV recreation, fishing/hunting, random camping and rural economies, refer to the minister’s conduct as having misled, blindsided, ignored input, staged announcements, etc., what message does this deliver regarding Phillips’, and yes, Notley’s, conduct? My read: Phillips, and an onside Notley, pulled a bait and switch on these largely volunteer representatives up to Jan. 20, whereupon Phillips, an activist/environmentalist, has an epiphany regarding OHVs based on supposedly new, but long-established, science revelations she couldn’t herebefore communicate to impacted stakeholders.

C’mon, Ma’am! Phillips and Notley want Albertans to believe the designated OHV trails/random camping rejected in the Castle are good to go in “adjacent” Porcupines, Livingstone, Oldman watershed and a template for the rest of Alberta. Anyone think the opaque “rare” and “at risk” footprint science magically stops south of Highway 3? Having participated in those workshops, I confirm it’s the same stacked deck!

The SSRP amendment making OHV recreation/random camping in the Castle illegal states: “A quality and environmentally responsible OHV recreation trail network is being considered on adjacent vacant public lands through recreational planning.” Phillips and Notley, without debate in the legislature, passed this Jan. 20 Order in Council coincident with their Castle Park announcement delivered to hand-picked supporters and media. This weasel-worded amendment provides no commitment to any OHV trail system regardless of merit anywhere. Yet Phillips and Notley, facing growing opposition from outlawed stakeholders, resurrect “it’s a draft plan;” the above amendment isn’t a draft, it’s an Order in Council — do they now propose SSRP amendment that OHV designated trails remain in Castle Park? Wake up, the baiting continues!

Barry Harper

Lethbridge