Rocky View County Reeve Rolly Ashdown has written an urgent letter to Alberta’s Minister of Transportation, Luke Ouellette requesting a meeting regarding a potential land swap.
During the meeting, which will take place in September, Ashdown, along with Division 1 Councillor Rick Butler, will discuss the crown lands located near Bragg Creek. The land has been implicated in a potential swap near Bragg Creek with the Tsuu T’ina First Nation to facilitate the Calgary ring road deal.
The crown lands, known to locals as the CL grazing lands, are located about half a mile north of the town site, were part of an original failed deal of 2009 between the Province and Tsuu T’ina.
“I think we have some very concerned residents,” said Butler. “The Reeve is arranging a meeting… to find out what is going on and how it is going to affect Rocky View residents.”
According to Butler, various other privately held lands may also be negotiated between land owners and the Tsuu T’ina, and will remain under the County and Province’s jurisdiction.
Several media reports, including a Calgary Herald article dated July 13, state the minister indicated the failed 2009 deal will be the basis for the new agreement.
Martin Dupuis, spokesperson for the Minister’s office, would neither confirm nor deny that a deal is pending. “We are having discussions with the Tsuu T’ina at their request, but we have nothing new to say about the discussions,” he said.
“Speculating about anything at this point would be (fruitless).”
Dupuis indicated information would be released when appropriate.
Butler said residents want to stay informed, adding that some of his constituents were immediately “surprised” and “shocked” on learning about the potential deal.
“Generally, people are just wanting to get the facts and want to be good neighbours with the Tsuu T’ina,” added Butler.
Liz Breakey, a 35-year Bragg Creek-area resident whose farm borders the land in question, agrees.
“The ring road has got to go ahead and this is the best solution,” she said. “I honestly don’t feel it will affect us.”
Ashdown said the County will work to stay informed about the situation and will pass that information on as soon as it is able.
“It is important to us that we keep well informed,” said Ashdown. “We don’t guess; we go to the source.”
