By: Shaun Fluker and David Mayhood
PDF Version: Alberta Heads the Wrong Direction with Bill 79 – the Proposed Trails Act
Bill Commented On: Bill 79, the Proposed Trails Act, 2nd Sess, 30th Leg, Alberta, 2021
On November 2, 2021, the Minister of Environment and Parks (Jason Nixon) introduced Bill 79 – the proposed Trails Act – into the legislative assembly for first reading. Initial public reactions varied significantly from the positive endorsements given by recreational trail user groups (such as those quoted in the government’s media statement) to the critical assessments on social media (see here) and environmental groups (such as the Alberta Wilderness Association). One thing Bill 79 does not implement is the trail permit fee on off-highway vehicle (OHV) users which the Minister previously indicated was forthcoming. This omission not only further highlights the glaring absence of the McLean Creek area from the access fee imposed by the Kananaskis Conservation Pass, it also reinforces the view that OHV users have the Minister’s ear on policy development. In this post, we critically examine the actual content in Bill 79 and explain why the proposed Trails Act will result in further damage and destruction to public lands in Alberta.