On November 20, Alberta Environment announced a new timeline for the completion of a province-wide policy to protect wetlands that would delay its adoption and implementation until 2012. The delay was outlined in a new plan released by Alberta Environment outlining actions on the renewal of Water for Life. The original date for completion of the policy under the Water for Life strategy was 2007.

A few days before the government's announcement, 10 environmental and conservation organizations sent a letter to Minister Robert Renner expressing concern in the delay with the policy. According to the letter:

"We are extremely concerned with the delay in implementing a provincial wetland policy, a key to all three Water for Life goals, and in particular to the healthy aquatic ecosystems goal. When the Water for Life strategy was released in 2003, one pledged action was to 'develop a wetland policy and supporting action plan to achieve sustainable wetlands' by 2006/7. The Government of Alberta was an integral part of the 3‐year long Water Council wetland team; upon completion of Council's report in 2008, Alberta Environment committed that a wetland policy would be in place by summer 2009."

The letter was endorsed by the Alberta Wilderness, Battle Lake Watershed Enhancement Association, Edmonton Nature Club, Environmental Law Centre, Friends Of an Unpolluted Lifestyle, Peace River Environmental Society, Onoway River Valley Conservation Association, Sierra Club Canada — Prairie Chapter, South Peace Environmental Association, and Water Matters.

Albertans support the adoption of a strong wetlands policy according to a report issued by the Alberta Water Council in 2007. The report representing the views of over 500 people from community, industry, and government said 90 percent of respondents agree that the Government of Alberta should "maintain or increase wetlands area (and hence wetlands functions) in Alberta to maintain the ecological, social and economic benefits that wetlands provide." A large majority (90 percent of respondents) also indicated that wetland conservation was important even if it meant foregoing other land use activities in a certain areas.

In September 2008, the Alberta Water Council received a proposed wetlands policy and implementation plan from the majority of its members. Various Government of Alberta ministers, industry, non-governmental organizations, and local government representatives co-drafted the 38-page report that followed several years of negotiations among these different sectors to find common ground. However, the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers and the Alberta Chamber of Resources, both representing the oil and gas industry, did not endorse the final report approved by the Alberta Water Council. Initially, Alberta Environment stated they would have a final wetland policy by early 2009. But the objections from oil and gas industry had many organizations concerned there would be a delay.

Sources

Alberta Water Council. Talking with Albertans About a New Wetlands Policy and Implementation Plan: What We Heard Summary. June 3, 2009. (accessed November 25, 2009).

Alberta Water Council. Recommendations for a New Alberta Wetlands Policy. September 16, 2009. (accessed November 25, 2009).

Government of Alberta. Water for Life Action Plan. November 2009. (accessed November 25, 2009).