RESOURCES - PERSISTENT ISSUES AND CHALLENGES IN ALBERTA’S OIL SANDS REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

Many of these While concerns about the risks associated with placing all decision- recommendations relate to the need for more direction and for making into the hands of a single regulator remain, the goals behind improvements to the LARP, especially in relation to cumulative effects the REDA of streamlining processes and reducing complexities were management and the impacts on Indigenous peoples.. [...] other stakeholders and for the general public who often want to understand and follow decision-making processes.48 Under the REDA, the regulatory framework for the various stages of Public Participation the oil sands development process is certainly clearer than it was in Scholars have long argued for public participation in environmental 2007 from the perspective of identifying the responsible re. [...] 63 One significant change since 2007 has been, as noted, the enactment With respect to the development of energy (or climate) and natural of the ALSA and the adoption of the LARP. [...] Before a regional plan is made or consultation through the development of applicable regional plans, amended, section 5 of the ALSA requires the Minister to ensure that which in the case of oil sands is the LARP. [...] In than only those who are “directly and adversely affected.” If a person 2007, a variation on this phrase entitled someone to trigger a hearing has a tangible interest in the subject matter of the hearing, will (oral or written) before the regulator.71 Today, under the REDA, the materially assist the AER in deciding the matter, will not unnecessarily route to a hearing before the AER is murkier.