Citing a lack of meaningful public engagement, Clearwater County council is pumping the brakes on West Country tourism development.
Two Area Structure Plans (ASPs) were approved in July 2025 to guide future development in the Saunders-Alexo and Whitegoat Lakes areas. However, council members say residents have indicated strongly they were unaware of earlier opportunities to provide feedback.
Deputy Reeve Drew McKay—who was not on council a year ago—said even he was unaware.
“For whatever reason, residents feel like they missed the consultation process—there’s definitely a feeling that the public wants more input.”
Clearwater County held a number of public engagement sessions in May 2025 before the bylaws were passed. They were hosted in Rocky Mountain House, Nordegg, and online.
Coun. Breanne Powell said the financial implications for taxpayers and the impact on existing tourism operators have not been fully discussed, and those affected should have a say.
At its Feb. 10 meeting, council passed two motions: one to postpone first reading of a bylaw that would repeal the development nodes, and another directing administration to prepare public engagement sessions.
Those sessions could be held at community halls in Caroline, Gimlet, Condor, Nordegg, Rocky Mountain House, Crammond, Aurora and Bingley, among other locations.
Council previously discussed the nodes at a Nov. 2025 meeting, where council members indicated residents brought up concerns on the campaign trail about potential traffic, crowding and effects on the county’s rural character.
Powell, at the November meeting, said “95 per cent” of people she spoke to on the campaign trail opposed the idea.
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Councillors Tyler McCauley and Bryan Cermak both urged caution in using the word “repeal.”
“We are not going to repeal this in the way we think we are—if anything, it will be amended,” said McCauley. “Being without this bylaw lets the provincial government put whatever they want out there.”
Cermak raised concerns that postponing first reading of the repeal bylaw could send the wrong message to potential developers. Administration clarified that the two node bylaws remain in full effect, meaning developers can still submit applications.
“I think by postponing the bylaw, it’s showing that we’re not saying ‘no’ right now—it’s saying let’s get some more information,” Powell said.
Reeve Jordon Northcott, who recently met with provincial officials in Edmonton, said the province wants municipalities to retain maximum jurisdiction over their regions. He added he saw no indication the province would “push” development.
Northcott noted discussions about the development nodes date back more than 30 years, and said taking a few extra months for engagement would not be unreasonable.
Council suggested greater advertising in local media would be essential to getting the word out.
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