The ongoing saga of attempts to build a year-round resort at a glacier in southern B.C. is back in the courts as the developer is seeking to quash a decision from the provincial government that ground the project to a halt.
In 2015, the provincial government determined that the Jumbo Glacier Mountain Resort was not sa国际传媒榮ubstantially startedsa国际传媒�, which led to the expiration of an Environmental Assessment Certificate sa国际传媒� a specialized permit that the proponent needs in order to resume the development.
The EAC expired after then-Environment Minister Mary Polak determined enough work hadnsa国际传媒檛 been completed, however, the proponents sa国际传媒� Glacier Resorts Ltd sa国际传媒攕ay it was due to factors beyond their control.
In their petition to the court, Glacier Resorts Ltd says a Master Development Plan wasnsa国际传媒檛 approved until 2012 sa国际传媒� five years after the initial term of the EAC and three years into an extension period. The proponent also complained that the province didnsa国际传媒檛 create a municipality sa国际传媒� which regulates land use planning through zoning sa国际传媒� until that same year.
Construction was also limited due to short windows within the summer which was hampered by the proposed resortsa国际传媒檚 remote location, according to the court filing.
The project proposes a 5,500 bed units over a 110 hectare resort base area with ski lift access to four glaicers 53 kilometres west of Invermere.
The matter is being heard out of Vancouver Supreme Court in front of Justice Carla Forth over the next three days.
Ktunaxa opposition
There are two parallel issues when it comes to the proposed Jumbo Glacier Resort.
In addition to the substantially started designation, theresa国际传媒檚 also opposition from local Indigenous and environmental groups.
The Ktunaxa Nation Council took the issue to the Supreme Court of Canada, arguing that the province did not adequately provide appropriate consultation before approving the Master Development Plan.
Additionally, the Ktunaxa argued that the the location of the proposed ski resort sits in a spiritually sensitive area known as Qatsa国际传媒檓uk that is home to the Grizzly Bear Spirit, which serves as a source of guidance and strength.
Canadasa国际传媒檚 highest court unanimously agreed that the province had adequately consulted with the Ktunaxa during the Master Development Plan process, however, two justices dissented on the religious freedom aspect after determining religious freedom would be violated with the construction of a resort.
Glacier Resorts look to quash substantially started decision
At the time the substantially started decision was made, completed work included the pouring of concrete slabs for a day lodge and service building at the base of the resort.
In the petition to quash the decision, the proponents argued that the provincial government imposed a standard that was impossible to obtain, given regulatory constraints.
The filing also accused Minister Polak of bias, given her friendship with Kathryn Teneese, the chair of the Ktunaxa Nation Council.
A response filed by the provincial government disagreed with Glacier Resortssa国际传媒� assessment.
sa国际传媒淲hile it is evident that Glacier has faced a number of significant challenges, especially in terms of plans and permitting, the jurisprudence of this Court is clear that sa国际传媒榮ubstantially startedsa国际传媒� is to be assessed with reference to the construction of the physical works,sa国际传媒� reads the response filed by lawyers representing the Ministry of Environment. sa国际传媒淚n this case, very little physical progress has been made towards the project.sa国际传媒�
The proposed resort has also generated opposition from local environmental groups, such as Wildsight, who applied as interveners to the case earlier this month.
The construction of a resort would cause widespread harm to the environment and local communities, according to a press release issued by Wildsight.
Ecojustice is representing Wildsight and the Jumbo Creek Conservation Societysa国际传媒檚 intervener positions in the case.
sa国际传媒淚f built, the Jumbo Glacier Resort would fragment a critical section of one of North Americasa国际传媒檚 most important wildlife corridors,sa国际传媒� says Robyn Duncan, the executive director for Wildsight. sa国际传媒淕rizzlies depend on this connected habitat to maintain healthy populations regionally and even continentally.sa国际传媒�
