Letter to Minister Joseph Schow, Minister of Tourism and Sport

The notion that the designation of currently protected provincial parks, provincial recreation areas, wilderness areas, ecological reserves, natural areas or heritage rangelands may be rescinded on the recommendation of the Minister of Tourism and Sport to make way for an all-season resort contradicts the preamble that evokes environmental standards to “ensure that the province’s land is conserved and responsibly managed for the benefit of present and future generations.”

Surely, our ‘world-class environmental standards’ would embrace the maintenance, if not the expansion and restoration of the eastern slopes, natural grasslands, wetlands and rangelands. Installing all-season resorts in protected areas will diminish habitat for species at risk, disrupt wildlife with greater numbers of visitors, and increase linear disturbances that lead to ecological damage. Furthermore, the language of the Act is troubling as it appears to limit, if not bypass, environmental review processes that might normally be expected for significant changes in the land-use of protected lands. Environmental review is meant to evaluate if the negative impacts of development are in the public interest – it is not a barrier to overcome.

Our final concern is the absence in the Act of any measures of disruption and any mention of assigned responsibility for mitigation once it is recognized as being required through environmental monitoring. The Ministry of Tourism and Sport does not have the capacity for environmental monitoring or assessment that would be required to protect our natural areas.

We understand that this act was proclaimed on December 5, 2024, despite a profound lack of public consultation or consideration of the environmental impacts of ill-defined notions of All Season Resorts. We are extremely disappointed with the Act and hope that the Government of Alberta will properly monitor and mitigate negative impacts to the environment. It should be said that ecological damage = social and economic damage when considered in the longer term and is not in the public interest.

Response from Government of Alberta, 22 January 2025

Thank you for contacting me about the All-season Resorts Act. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts and feedback.

Our government has a bold and ambitious goal to grow Alberta’s visitor economy to $25 billion in annual visitor expenditures by 2035. The development of all-season, year-round resorts is key to reaching this goal, as outlined in Alberta’s provincial tourism strategy.

The world wants more Alberta, and investors and Albertans alike have been asking for year-round opportunities to enjoy all our province has to offer. The All-season Resorts Act creates a made-in Alberta approach to sustainable resort development modelled off the success in seen in B.C. after they introduced a similar policy.

The act establishes a clear, straightforward development process and provides a one-window approach to attract investment into our province’s tourism sector. Even more importantly, these resorts will benefit Albertans – creating jobs, bolstering local economies, and giving Albertans more opportunities to enjoy the beauty of their own backyards.

The All-season Resorts Act supports the responsible, sustainable revitalization of underused spaces across the province while mitigating environmental impacts and preventing the unnecessary disturbance of Alberta’s pristine landscapes. Our land is vital for our future. That’s why any development proposed under the act must maintain rigorous environmental reviews and consultations with Indigenous Peoples, ensuring Alberta’s world-class environmental standards are upheld. By focusing development on well-managed areas, Alberta’s heritage and protected spaces will be preserved for generations of residents and visitors alike.