The McKay Métis will fight to protect the Moose Lake Area of Fort McKay, even if it means taking the case to the Supreme Court.
Thursday concluded the Alberta Energy Regulator’s public hearing for Prosper Petroleum Ltd. to justify building an oil sands project within the Fort McKay area.
The project would take water from the culturally and historically significant Moose Lake Area, which is the community’s water source.
Ron Quintal President of the McKay Métis refers to the area as the community’s sanctuary.
“We feel comfortable to drink the water, we feel comfortable to eat the fish, we feel comfortable to be able just to live an everyday life.”
Quintal points out that they’ve supported other development projects in the past, but they need to protect the limited areas for the community to continue practicing traditional values.
“In this circumstance we just feel that this isn’t responsible. We just can’t support this project. The community is doing this because we are very limited in what we have left in terms of traditional territory, untouched territory and unless we do this, we’ll be left with nothing.”
The final process is taking place in Calgary. A 90 day period will follow for the AER to make a decision.
Quintal says since the regulator has yet to deny a project, the community is preparing to take their case to the Supreme Court.
The province has already promised the Moose Lake Access Management Plan, which protects the area.
