Chef Stella restaurant - LNN

By Dori Modney with files from the Canadian Press

Conservationist confirms restaurant meeting with former Environment Minister in 2017

Jul 15, 2020 | 12:17 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB. — A story that began in early 2017 has since branched out to involve a multitude of elements.

At the time, there was concern by regional outdoor groups about potential changes to the Castle region of the Crowsnest Pass, which was being supported by then Environment Minister Shannon Phillips.

Environmentalists wanted to see more protection for the sensitive ecological area, while ATVers and other outdoor groups were up-in-arms about potentially losing their recreation areas. The concerns spawned multiple rallies in the Crowsnest Pass and Lethbridge by those who maintained there had not been adequate community input and consultation.

At the time, several ATVers (not police) contacted this media outlet, voicing concerns about the Environment Minister holding private meetings with the founder of the Yellowstone to Yukon (Y2Y) Conservation Initiative, Harvey Locke.

However, the ATVers could not offer confirmation of the meeting(s).

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It’s now known the well-known conservationist did meet with Alberta’s Environment Minister at a Lethbridge diner and says he’s stunned two police officers did unauthorized surveillance before one followed his vehicle.

In a story from the Canadian Press, Harvey Locke confirms he and his wife were two of four people who met with former environment minister Shannon Phillips at the Chef Stella Diner in Lethbridge in April 2017.

He says his, quote, “Eyes just about fell into his coffee cup” at breakfast Tuesday when he was listening to a story on the radio about the disciplinary hearing for Sergeant Jason Carrier and Constable Keon Woronuk.

The two officers have been demoted for a year, after admitting they had not been authorized to watch Phillips while she met with people to discuss a new park in the Castle region in the province’s southwest.

The plan included restricting off-road vehicles in the environmentally-sensitive area, Police hearing notes say both officers had a shared interest in off-roading.

Locke notes, it’s not illegal to love nature or create parks in Alberta.