Politicians decry selloff of habitat for endangered caribou

EDMONTON – Opposition politicians in Alberta have harsh words for the government’s decision to sell off crucial habitat for endangered caribou herds to the energy industry.

Liberal Laurie Blakeman says with so much energy development already in the province, there’s no need to tear up 1,700 hectares of the last remaining habitat for mountain caribou.

Joe Anglin of the Opposition Wildrose party says the decision is likely to add to Alberta’s bad environmental reputation and make it harder for the province to sell its oil and gas abroad.

Both agree that at least a temporary halt to lease sales in the area north of Grande Cache would be a good first step.

A federal panel of scientists earlier this month assessed Alberta’s herds of mountain caribou as being in immediate danger of disappearing.