If you lived in or around Calgary in June of 2013, you will likely never forget the flood waters rushing along through farms, towns and cities, destroying roads, homes and buildings as well as natural areas.
During the days of the flood, I spent a lot of time in the community of Redwood Meadows and witnessed an incredible rally to save that community. Nearby Bragg Creek was not so fortunate.
You’ve probably heard of the project, recently proposed by the provincial government, to create a dry reservoir in the Springbank area, so flood waters can be diverted to protect downtown Calgary in the future.
As the MLA for Springbank, I need to question some of the decision-making that has led to the government’s announcement and when I explain it, I think you’ll understand why.
For one thing, there are actually three flood mitigation projects being considered that all affect rivers upstream of the city of Calgary.
The other two are the McLean dry dam and there is also a proposed Glenmore Reservoir Tunnel.
Engineering reports are not yet complete on all three projects, so for the Premier to announce his intentions to proceed with the Springbank reservoir, without getting information on the other two projects seems reckless.
I am also puzzled about why the government would announce an initial mitigation project that is downstream of Bragg Creek and Redwood Meadows. Why would we undertake such a massive mitigation project, downstream of some of the communities that were hardest hit during the flood?
The Mclean dry dam is upstream of those communities. After the Premier’s announcement, Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi wrote a blog post stating that city of Calgary officials had not been consulted, and that research studies had not been shared with the city.
A project such as this simply can’t be rushed through without due diligence.
This government has a long track record of pushing ahead with projects which haven’t had a full and complete needs assessment.
I also couldn’t help but notice that this quick announcement was made just before the writ dropped on three Calgary by-elections, conveniently giving the governing party’s candidates an action point to speak about to voters at the doors.
Albertans are justifiably cynical of any and all promises at election time. To be clear, like all Albertans, I am committed to supporting the project that makes the most sense for the whole province, after we see a published, objective needs assessment and engineering analysis of all three projects.
