'Major red flags': Councillors hear from dozens of speakers as gondola decision looms
A proposal to build a gondola over Edmonton's river valley took centre stage at city hall Wednesday as councillors openly discussed the pros and cons of the project with dozens of stakeholders and members of the public.
Prairie Sky Gondola wants to build a 2.5 kilometre line from downtown to Old Strathcona, and is promising that the city and taxpayers will not have to contribute any money.
The city's executive committee met for several hours Wednesday to discuss land agreements for 19 towers and five stations, but the meeting became a holistic debate when 50 people registered to speak on a range of related elements.
"This type of system is one that I think certainly fits the bill, and aligns with many city policy documents and directions, in particular the city plan," Chris Dulaba with Beljan Developments told council.
"We’re talking about the river valley. We’re talking about leases of lands to private proponents, some of whom could be foreign owners…For 30 to 60 or more years," cautioned Linda Duncan, a former MP and current board director of the North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society.
Speakers raised concerns over everything from the cost of tickets to the environmental impact. Many were also concerned about building in the area around the Rossdale Power Plant, an area that is sacred to local Indigenous people.
"We’re guided today by the advice that there is a very low probability that we will find human remains at that particular location," said Bob Black from Prairie Sky Gondola.
Emily Riddle, a Cree author, tweeted that she was upset with how the company was proceeding, in particular with an apparent refusal to reroute the line away from the "burial site."
"In this project we're not equal partners. We are a barrier to development. So I don't see it as contributing to reconciliation or the treaty relationship or kinship," she told councillors.
One councillor said she can't support the project unless the proposed agreement is rewritten.
"I have major concerns related to the protection of public assets and our property. We're going to be charging rent for the pole, not any of the other land that will become unusable where those lines are running over," said Ward Anirniq Councillor Erin Rutherford.
The project contains "a lot of good," she added, but unanswered questions about Indigenous consultation and archaeology have her skeptical that she can vote "yes."
The president of Prairie Sky, Jeffrey Hansen-Carlson, told CTV News Edmonton that he appreciates the thoughtful discussion, and he asked that the land agreements be approved so that work can continue and more questions can be answered through the process.
"An Indigenous archeologist, a past Grand Chief of Treaty 6, are both on our board. We’re doing all the right things to demonstrate we’re taking this seriously," he said.
"We're good, honest Edmontonians. We've demonstrated a commitment to do this right for a long time now. I don't know what more a proponent can do."
A vote on allowing the project to move forward is expected at a Monday city council meeting.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Jeremy Thompson
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Chants of 'shame on you' greet guests arriving for the annual White House correspondents' dinner
An election-year roast of U.S. President Joe Biden before journalists, celebrities and politicians at the annual White House correspondents' dinner Saturday.
What is a 'halal mortgage'? Does it make housing more accessible?
The 2024 federal budget announced on April 16 included plans to introduce “halal mortgages” as a way to increase access to home ownership.
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Harvey Weinstein hospitalized after return to New York from upstate prison
Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer said Saturday that the onetime movie mogul has been hospitalized for a battery of tests after his return to New York City following an appeals court ruling nullifying his 2020 rape conviction.
'We are declaring our readiness': No decision made yet as Poland declares it's ready to host nuclear weapons
Polish President Andrzej Duda says while no decision has been made around whether Poland will host nuclear weapons as part of an expansion of the NATO alliance’s nuclear sharing program, his country is willing and prepared to do so.
Central Alberta queer groups react to request from Red Deer-South to reinstate Jennifer Johnson to UCP caucus
A number of LGBQT+2s groups in Central Alberta are pushing back against a request from the Red Deer South UCP constituency to reinstate MLA Jennifer Johnson into the UCP caucus.