A date has been set for the judicial review of the Alberta government's proposed re-development of the campground at English Bay, a provincial recreation area on the west side of Cold Lake.
Lawyers for the Cold Lake First Nations (CLFN) and Déné Suliné members, as well as the Government of Alberta, will appear in Edmonton provincial court next June, where a decision will be made on whether the proposed re-development will go ahead, according to Lisanne Lewis, assistant communications director for Aboriginal relations with the provincial government.
Construction at the campground was halted on May 6 after Déné Suliné and CLFN members began a peaceful protest just inside the entrance, forcing Alberta Parks, Tourism and Recreation workers to stop work and vacate the site.
Both sides appeared in provincial court on May 12 for a judicial review of the proposal. However, the review was adjourned and instead a court order was issued, stating protesters must vacate the campground and cease blocking the entrance, while the government must suspend re-development work.
Though construction remains halted, protests continue at the entrance to the campground.
“We're not moving from our land,” said Carrie Lawrence, a spokesperson for Déné Suliné and CLFN protesters.
“We're occupying the land to stop development. We need true communication and respect for one another,” she said.
The group argues the disputed land contains sacred burial and ceremonial sites and compensation should be provided should the expansion continue. It also contends construction should be discontinued altogether and the land should remain as is.
Lewis said the government would not speculate on what might be decided at the judicial review next year.
“This will be the hearing date where both sides present their arguments regarding the re-development going forward,” she explained.
She said the government is now just looking for the protests to stop.
“They are technically in non-compliance with two court orders to vacate the site. So, we're not too sure what they are still doing there. We've complied and stopped construction. We're hoping the few people left on site will disband and … obey court orders.
“They, like everyone else, cannot be on park land that's closed to the public.”
