The Alberta government is moving forward with the All-Season Resorts Act (ASRA), but the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) Southern Alberta Chapter wants it to stop. To try to stop the ASRA, the chapter has called on Albertans to oppose it. “We have grave concerns about the precedent Bill 35 sets and if you live in, recreate or rely upon, any of our province’s parks, protected areas, or public lands and waters — that’s all of us — you should, too,” tweeted the chapter on Monday. .The chapter said the ASRA will centralize and streamline the review, permitting, and approval of all-season resorts (ASRs), requiring no consultation or input from land use planning and environmental experts, indigenous people, and affected communities. If it becomes law, it said it means no place is sacred or safe. Moreover, it warned protected areas, including provincial parks, could lose their designation. Projects that fall within the definition of an ASR will no longer be subject to review by the Natural Resources Conservation Board, which is the body responsible for public interest reviews of major natural resource projects.“Your voice is urgently needed — Bill 35 is going to THIRD reading THIS Wednesday, Dec. 4, which means that it could pass and become law in the matter of days,” said the chapter. “Let’s make it loud and clear that Albertans oppose the All-Season Resorts Act — and remind @YourAlberta, and our elected officials, that we will #DefendAlbertaParks (and protected areas) now and always.”CPAWS Southern and Northern Alberta Chapter had said the ASRA “will expose public land — beloved by Albertans and critical to biodiversity conservation and ecological integrity — to the development of year-round private resorts.”“Now more than ever, we must restore ecosystems, secure habitat for Species at Risk, and ensure Alberta's natural resources are managed responsibly,” said the chapters.“This includes ensuring sustainable and equitable access to recreation and tourism opportunities for current and future generations through responsible land management.”Since the ASRA was on the precipice of third reading on Wednesday, it can become law in a matter of days. The chapters encouraged people to write to Alberta Tourism and Sport to stop it from becoming law; to support sustainable outdoor tourism and recreation opportunities; and to protect parks, protected areas, and public lands from being delisted and privitized. The Alberta government introduced the ASRA on November 7 to what it says will transform the province into a year-round tourism destination, projecting substantial economic growth and job creation..Alberta aims to boost tourism with year-round resort development legislation .It aims to expand Alberta’s visitor economy from $10 billion in annual spending to $25 billion by 2035 by encouraging private investment in ASR developments.If passed, it will enable the creation of year-round resorts that are expected to attract billions in private capital, providing tourists and locals with new recreational options while supporting Alberta’s environmental standards.Alberta Tourism and Sport could not be reached for comment in time for publication.
