Alberta’s All-Seasons Resort Act, passed in 2024, has moved quickly from legislation to real-world proposals. The webinar walked through the regulatory framework now governing all-season resort development in the province, including the designation process, the Master Development Plan requirements, and the role of the Ministry of Tourism and Sport as the primary decision-making authority.
Key aspects of the policy were examined, including environmental excellence commitments, carrying capacity frameworks, sensitive ecological area requirements, Indigenous consultation obligations, and staff housing provisions. The Fortress Mountain proposal was referenced throughout as the first concrete example of how this new framework is being applied in practice.
A significant portion of the discussion focused on what has changed from the previous regulatory approach, particularly the removal of Natural Resources Conservation Board jurisdiction over these developments and what that means for public participation.
The webinar examined the limitations of the current 30-day public comment period, the proponent-led nature of public engagement, the absence of formal hearing rights, and the challenges around establishing standing as a directly affected person under the Water Act.
Questions raised by attendees touched on departmental capacity to evaluate environmental effects, the implications of subleasing provisions, cumulative effects assessment, federal species at risk considerations, and the relationship between all-season resort designations and regional planning under the Alberta Land Stewardship Act.
Here are some other questions asked during the webinar:
- What does this legislation enable that was not possible before? Using Fernie as an example, which has operated as an all-seasons resort for quite some time.
- What is the legislative mechanism allowing for private real estate within all-season resort areas?
- Can you speak to the public trust comment on the all-season resort website, which states that the public is engaged if land uses are proposed to change before land is designated as an all-season resort?
- Is there an anticipation that things that would normally not be allowed in parks — such as ranges and racetracks — could now occur on annexed park land?
- How confident would you be that the Tourism Director will be qualified to make decisions under the Water Act and the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act?
- We know arguably that the Act is not what was needed to improve policy and legislation in favour of creating an environmentally sustainable tourism industry. Do you have any thoughts on alternatives or improvements to the existing system?
- Who are leaseholders held accountable to in terms of the public when it comes to environmental land use, and is there anything that separates them from others not holding leases?
- Any comment on environmental impacts being reviewed by a ministry other than Environment and Protected Areas? Also, would any federal review be required if the proposal were to overlap with federally listed protected species?
- Will the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan have an important influence on the all-season resort proposals?
Rewatch the webinar here