CALGARY- Alberta’s opposition leader is asking the Alberta government to recall the legislature to extend the state of emergency in High River.
On Wednesday, Wildrose leader Danielle Smith—who is the MLA for Highwood—sent a letter to the municipal affairs minister asking for the government to reconvene.
The provincial state of emergency in the area is scheduled to end on Friday, despite the major cleanup still facing the town.
“I do not think the lifting of a provincial state of emergency is in the interest of the residents,” Smith said in the letter. “Much remains to be done, that can best be done under the auspices of provincial emergency powers.”
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She goes on to list a number of concerning issues, including that many residents are still not able to live in their homes, only about half of the town has access to essential utilities, a significant portion of High River is still underwater and residents are having trouble with insurers and contractors.
“As leader of the official opposition, I commit to you that I will do everything in my power to assist the government in convening a simple, expedited and very brief emergency session of the Legislative Assembly, to pass a resolution extending the provincial state of emergency,” Smith continues. “Wildrose MLAs will provide unanimous consent to any procedural changes…to expedite the passing of such a resolution.”
Liberal leader Raj Sherman issued a release on Wednesday afternoon, saying he supports the move.
The town of High River was destroyed by the June flood, and the urgent care centre only reopened on Wednesday.
A community information session will be held at the High River Agricultural Society’s rodeo grounds on Friday at 5 p.m., so affected residents can learn more about recovery efforts.
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