Sarah Elmeligi, Alberta NDP Critic for Environment and Tourism, issued the following statement in response to the announcement of this year’s water licensing sharing agreements: “Today is postponing action. We’re in drought right now. Reservoirs are empty right now. These agreements should come into effect right now, not later when it might be too late. “The drought emergency plan was also supposed to be announced today but it has been delayed. We need to see how a wildfire emergency response plan factors into this. Water availability and fighting wildfires go hand-in-hand. This work is critical to keeping communities safe. Postponing this work leaves communities wondering how this will affect them if we face fires this summer. “And there are a number of unanswered questions for Albertans and industries. How will communities be informed of upcoming restrictions? Will industries be required by the UCP to recycle water where possible, and is the government going to provide technological support and the equipment to do so? They will need to know how these agreements reduce their water use and how it will be enforced for all water licence holders - large and small. “Without making concrete plans on the impacts of climate change on our province, the UCP government will always be pivoting from one crisis to the next. We know we are in a multi-year drought, yet there is no multi-year plan. “These agreements also fail to address the need to leave some water in the river. In-stream flows keep our fish alive and help cool the landscape, and ensure other provinces downstream have the water they need as well. “Today’s agreements, which are three weeks late, demonstrate that this government fails to prioritize what really matters. All winter, everyone saw the low snowpack. The UCP should have prioritized getting these agreements in place earlier.”
@RachelNotley No power in opposition.
@RachelNotley No power in opposition.
@RachelNotley very much looking forward to seeing new leadership in the party. i think new blood that is less divisive and more productive is what is needed now. not statements of pointless comments with no pragmatic action items.
@RachelNotley Will I be able to water a new garden? Should I even out a garden in? These arereal questions.