Canmore Leader Article - Public Hearing Sparks Debate

Public hearings for the proposed Horseshoe Lands development at Seebe offered new perspective and a wide range of support and opposition.

By Aaron Paton, Canmore Leader

Published: March 07, 2007


MD council heard five-minute oral presentations and written submissions were presented at the hearing.  “The hearing is primarily for council,” Reeve Dene Cooper reminded spectators as the meeting began.

Three elders from the Stoney Nakoda nation were the first to speak in support of the project after Moondance Land and Stoney-owned 991021 Alberta Ltd.

“The population is expanding on the reserve,” Bert Wildman said.

He added that he is “timid” with development because the Stoney Nakoda nation has been left out of development deals in the past. Former Chiniki chief George Labelle added that “it’s time for us to join Alberta’s growing real estate industry and the Horseshoe Lands will do this.”

Speaking on behalf of the Wesley First Nations, Wilfred Fox said people on the reserve are tired of buying their groceries and gas from neighbouring communities.

“With (the Horseshoe Lands) there is the possibility of jobs for young people,” Fox said.

The 991021 Alberta Ltd. has conducted public consultations of on the reservation over the past three months.

At the March 5 public hearing, Raquel Andrew read for her grandmother Georgie Chiniquay and 12 others from the Stoney Nakoda nation.

“We are asking for this proposed bylaw to be put on hold for at least six months to allow us the opportunity to hold band meetings with all tribal members, and with our elected chiefs and councilors,” Andrew said.

Chiniquay added that she knows a lot of people on the reservation that are opposed to the development who would like to discuss the ASP further before it is given second and third readings.

The bulk of the opposition came from environmental interest groups like Bow Valley Naturalists, Defenders of Wildlife and Bow Riverkeeper.

A representative speaking on behalf of Bow Valley Naturalists said they would be happy with “zero per cent” development on the land.

Jim Pissot, executive director of Defenders of Wildlife Canada said that the ASP and accompanying documents “inconsistently address impacts beyond the immediate footprint of the project.

“Additional impacts should be considered more thoroughly,” Pissot said.

Some of those opposed expressed concern that the development as proposed in the ASP is the beginning of a rural to urban shift in the MD -- that it could degrade nearby water quality, that it does not properly address environmental impacts outside the project, and that it does not address the affordable housing crisis in the Bow Valley.

Those in favor of the ASP heralded the Horseshoe Lands as an opportunity to introduce a regional water system, for industrial and commercial business expansion. They also see it as a chance for alternative income instead of oil royalties for Stoney Nakoda people and as a solution to the affordable housing crisis in the Bow Valley.

MD council took a particular interest in comments made by Chuck Patel, associate owner for Peka Professional Property Management Ltd.

He said that Peka intends to open a branch in the Horseshoe Lands once they are developed. He added that many young people in Canmore hope that the Horseshoe Lands development will allow them to buy a home in the Bow Valley.

“The idea is that young people have hope instead of making them move out of town,” Patel said.

Cooper asked Patel if the affordable housing situation in Canmore is bleak now, “what will it be like in 2015 when Canmore is at buildout?”

“We will lose our members if we don’t have some kind of hope,” Patel said. “(Horseshoe) presents hope and hope means people will stay… a little longer.”

The meeting has been postponed until April 12 because of a potential lawsuit.