Edmonton

Alberta to hold public meetings on land use

The Alberta government will be holding another series of public meetings, this time on creating a land-use framework.

The Alberta government will be holding another series of public meetings, this time on creating a land-use framework for the province.

Alberta's rapid economic growth often puts developers at odds with conservationists orthose pushing for more recreation space.

Aland-use framework wouldhelp resolve conflicts, said Ted Morton, the sustainable resource development minister.

"There are a lot of contentious issues in here," he said. "I tell stakeholders … that none of you are going to be 100 per cent happy with this because it does involve trade-offs and it does involve some compromises and some give and take."

Morton wants Albertans to get involved in the discussion through 15 public meetings that will be held next month across the province.Albertans can also offer their opinions on land use online through the province's website.

Morton is planning to have a draft report completed by the end of the year.

Since Ed Stelmach has become premier, the government has held orhas scheduledpublic meetings across Alberta onsuch topicsas affordable housing, ways to make Alberta greener, safer communities,and the royalties oil and gas companies pay the province.