Bighorn Country info sessions cancelled amid allegations of bullying, intimidation

Upcoming public information sessions for the parks proposal for Bighorn Country have been called off amid allegations of bullying and harassment directed at supporters of the project.

Alberta Environment and Parks Minister Shannon Phillips issued a statement Saturdayannouncing thecancellationof upcoming public information sessions inDraytonValley, Edmonton, Red Deer andSundre.

"I have become increasingly concerned about the inflamed rhetoric and inaccurate statements made by some organizations and individuals on social media. This has led to significant misinformation on the status and substance of the proposal for Bighorn Country and, more recently, allegations of bullying, abuse, and concerns over personal safety," the statement reads.

"I have heard stories ofAlbertansafraid to attend community events,Albertansberated in public,Albertansfollowed home, andAlbertansfeeling intimidated to not speak their mind or participate in this important discussion."

In an open letter that Phillips posted on Facebook, she specifically expressed her disappointment at United Conservative Party MLA Jason Nixon's"inaccurate statements" and "misinformation."

Nixon issued a response to the cancellations, saying he has attended public events about the proposal, but hasn't seen any intimidation.

"The NDP is trying to ram through a fake consultation on anissue of major consequence in just 70 days before an election," Nixon's statement reads. "It is completely unacceptable for the NDP to arbitrarily cancel in-person consultation."

In November, Alberta's NDP proposed four provincial parks, including the Bighorn Wildland Provincial Park, plusfour provincial recreation areas and a new public-land-use zone in the areaon the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains, west ofNordegg.

But there has been significant pushback since the proposal was brought forward, with some locals worrying the new designations would affect how they use the land.

Off-highway vehicle users are worried they wouldn't be able to usetrails that have been developed and maintained by local groups, though the province has said the proposal would maintain all designated trails.

• Provincial parks proposal released for Bighorn area of Rocky Mountains
• Bighorn parks proposal gets cool reception in Rocky Mountain House

Nixon,the UCP MLA for the area, has also spoken out about the proposal, highlighting uncertainty about the plan's impact on industry and land use, and saying the province sidelined an ongoing consultation process.

The BighornWildlandProvincial Park is being created to preserve large portions of the region that borders Jasper and Banff National Parks.

Over five years, the province would spend$40 million on developing infrastructure for camping, hiking, paddling, snowmobile and off-highway vehicle use.

• Biologists pen letter over Alberta MLA's 'misinformation' on conservation plans
• Park designation proposal triggers turf war in Bighorn backcountry

In her statement, Phillips said the government will re-evaluate its engagement plans to ensure Albertans in Drayton Valley, Red Deer, Sundre and Edmonton can participate safely.

Two telephone town hall sessions will be scheduled so people in Drayton Valley and Red Deer can ask government officials questions about the proposal. Public engagement was initially set to run until the end of January, but has been pushed to Feb. 15.

Phillips noted the proposal "is not set in stone," and highlighted the need to addressconflicts between user groups, a lack of infrastructure and enforcement, and environmental concerns.

"We continue to listen to Albertans and hear your feedback," she said. "But this must be done in a respectful way a way that ensures everyone feels safe and welcome to participate."