Rocky View County (RVC) will engage a lobbyist to advocate its position on the Springbank Off-Stream Reservoir (SR1) to the new provincial government, following a decision by council during a regular meeting June 11.
In response to a May 28 notice of motion by Coun. Kim McKylor, Richard Barss, acting executive director of Community Development Services, said the previous council assigned $200,000 in May 2017 for technical studies and other matters relating to SR1, which could be used to hire a lobbyist. Further, Barss said he had met with someone who was already lobbying on behalf of other groups.
“I checked with them to see if they saw any conflict of interest,” he said. “They have spent a considerable amount of time getting up to speed on this matter, so that’s who I would recommend.”
According to Barss, the lobbyist will work to see the fulfillment of council’s endgame – the Government of Alberta pausing the SR1 project and reconsidering all possible options equally.
“We’re not advocating for anybody else’s position, we’re advocating for our own, and our own position is different from those who may already be using lobbyists,” Coun. Kim McKylor said.
McKylor’s motion was supported unanimously, although some councillors, including Kevin Hanson, questioned whether it was better to direct the lobbyist to advocate to higher levels of government.
“This is a critical time that we need to get our voices heard,” Coun. Jerry Gautreau said. “Although I agree with Coun. Hanson that we may, at some time, go to the federal government…I think our focus right now needs to be to the new provincial government.”
