By Adam Ophus

Focus on new Corridor

Rocky town council unsure whether to rejoin CAEP

Oct 21, 2020 | 10:09 AM

The Central Alberta Economic Partnership (CAEP) is asking the Town of Rocky Mountain House to reconsider their decision last November to leave the coalition.

CAEP is a non-profit regional economic development organization that focuses on working collaboratively with municipalities to help build capacity and strength from small start-ups to large investments.

Sylvan Lake Mayor and CAEP Transportation and Logistics Taskforce Sean McIntyre told council on Tuesday that a major project they are pushing is a trade and utility corridor that would go through Rocky and into the west country to connect with B.C. and beyond.

“We are really in our infancy in developing our plan right now, but it is paramount for our success that we have strong partnerships,” McIntyre said.

He mentioned the project would involve Rocky Mountain House and all Indigenous communities between here and the Alberta/B.C. border.

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Council asked whether the corridor they spoke of was the previously brought up Howse Pass highway that would shave off roughly an hour of travel time between central Alberta and central B.C. (Red Deer to Kamloops). McIntyre said “it could be” but as the project is relatively new, he couldn’t guarantee it.

CAEP Chair John Vandermeer told council that they weren’t sure what route they would take as of yet, but that they wanted to speak to as many municipalities along the possible routes that could benefit from the proposed corridor.

The cost for the Town of Rocky Mountain House to rejoin CAEP would be just under $4,000.

Town Councillor Jason Alderson said he didn’t think they made a mistake a year ago to leave CAEP, but based on current circumstances it makes sense to reconsider re-joining.

Councillor Merrin Fraser shared her worry that there is only so much political capital and time one has, a direction needs to be figured out, and everyone needs to be on the same page.

Town council tabled their decision whether to rejoin CAEP until after the town’s service level review is completed.