According to the media release and report recommendations it is evident the real “priority” is to the gas plant’s “protection and preservation”.  To me this means there is no real commitment to cleaning it up as per the petition that was tabled in the Legislature in February or following the environmental rules that industry must adhere to today.Also contained in the media release is a statement that says “the restoration work will depend on the budget available”.  The gas plant sat as a ward of the province for over 20 years and it was a victim of apparent “budget cuts” all the while it was leaking toxic chemicals into the Sheep River affecting downstream users and children who swim near the gas plant.  It was never a priority until citizens shamed the government into building a containment wall and finally extinguishing the illegal inground flare. The Gas Plant seems to be immune to the letter of the environmental law and I expect it will continue to be until more citizens push for it’s clean up.

Since no date was announced for the Historic Site’s reopening, I expect that it will continue to leach toxic chemicals into the groundwater and Sheep River for many years to come.  This ceremony is, in my opinion, just a lot of smoke and mirrors. 

The health of Turner Valley citizens and down stream users of the Sheep River has never been a priority to this government, why would it be now unless ordinary citizens make it so?

2007 Report