Ms Blakeman: Thanks very much, Mr. Speaker. Albertans are facing real challenges for long-term sustainability of water for human consumption, including drinking water and for agriculture and industry use, but the minister is going ahead with changing the policy on the irrigation districts to allow redesignation of water, something that will remove any need to consult with government or the public forevermore. 

To the Minister of Environment: given that this is a precedent-setting decision, does this signal that a decision has already been made on the future of the entire water allocation system?

Mr. Renner: Mr. Speaker, it certainly does not. In this particular instance there was a policy that was established about a year ago that allowed for very, very restricted reallocation of the licence within an irrigation district’s purview so that they can continue to provide the needs to municipalities and to small industries within their area where there is no access to water. This is simply the next step, an application under that policy.

The Speaker: The hon. member.

Ms Blakeman: Thank you. Back to the same minister: what exactly are the circumstances, the criteria in which it is appropriate – the minister’s own words – to allow irrigation districts to redesignate water, and will he table that criteria in this House?

Mr. Renner: Mr. Speaker, I’ll be more than happy to table it. It’s a policy that was developed in consultation with stakeholders, as I said, about a year ago. I don’t remember the exact timing. This particular application is under that policy, and it will be considered.

There is opportunity for the public to have input, to make comment, and we’re going through that process as we speak.

Ms Blakeman: Well, according to his remarks in Hansard from April 13 on page 725 he talks about changing the policy. “We will be changing that policy.” Now he’s referring to a policy that has already been changed. Could the minister clarify his comments, please?

Mr. Renner: I’d be more than happy to. At the time that the member asked me the question, I couldn’t recall whether or not the policy had been actually finalized. I knew that discussions had taken place. What the member is referring to is an application under that policy. That policy is in place now, and as I indicated, I’ll be providing that member with a copy of the policy.

Wetland Policy

Ms Blakeman: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. The government’s wetlands compensation guide is weak: weak systems, no monitoring, no controls. The ministry has created a system with one organization responsible for restoring wetlands destroyed by development, and according to the Auditor General the Department of Environment still can’t manage to monitor restoration standards or how taxpayer dollars are spent on the program. My questions are to the Minister of Environment. Why does the minister continue to put Alberta’s wetlands restoration at risk by applying this weak, lacklustre approach?

Mr. Renner: Mr. Speaker, first of all, the member is inaccurate in saying that the province has allocated all of the wetland restoration to one organization. The fact of the matter is that there is only one organization because no others have come forward. If they come forward and can demonstrate their ability to reconstruct and to redevelop wetlands, then the opportunity is there for any others. Our wetlands policy is one that, as the member well knows, is in the process of being updated to reflect the current needs.

The Speaker: The hon. member.

Ms Blakeman: Thank you very much. Well, given that the Auditor General has stated that there are no controls in place, no one in the ministry responsible for monitoring wetlands restoration, and processes in the ministry’s outdated guide are not even being applied, how can the minister determine if the current processes are effective?

Mr. Renner: Mr. Speaker, we do have a responsibility for ensuring that the dollars that flow through to organizations such as Ducks Unlimited are fulfilling the requirements. I think what the Auditor General was getting to is: is there a direct correlation value for the dollar? Frankly, that’s difficult because it is more expensive in some locations than others. You have to buy the land and do the restoration.

The Speaker: The hon. member.

Ms Blakeman: Thank you very much. Back to the same minister: when will the minister release an updated wetlands policy for the whole province that includes a no net loss policy? Mr. Minister, children who were born at the time the current interim policy went into place have now graduated from high school.

Mr. Renner: Well, Mr. Speaker, I’ve answered that question numerous times in the House. The updated wetlands policy is under construction as we speak, and there’s a commitment on my part to bring forward that policy for further consultation as soon as we’ve got it complete.

Alberta Hansard, April 20, 2010

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