“I felt deflated” – Crownest Pass Quad Squad Director on the cancellation of Bighorn meetings
LETHBRIDGE – If Crowsnest Pass Quad Squad Director and Vice President of the Alberta Off-Highway Vehicle Association Peter Reed could speak directly to Provincial Environment Minister Shannon Phillips, he would ask her to please complete the regional plan for the Bighorn area, and to reinstate the public consultations that have been cancelled.
Last weekend, a statement was sent out from Phillip’s office indicating that because of “bullying” and “abuse” that occurred at public information sessions, the upcoming sessions in Drayton Valley, Sundre, Edmonton and Red Deer would be cancelled.
“I have heard stories of Albertans afraid to attend community events, Albertans berated in public, Albertans followed home, and Albertans feeling intimidated to not speak their mind or participate in this important discussion,” Shannon Phillips said in a news release Saturday.
The release also indicated that the government would schedule two telephone town hall sessions for residents of Drayton Valley and Red Deer and that the public engagement period will be extended to Feb. 15.