MLA Pearl Calahasen’s oilfield dispute resolution program has reportedly been promised $6 million by Premier Ralph Klein. The question Slave Lakers are asking is: “What’s the money for?”
They were asking the question after Calahasen and her team met with the Slave Lake & District Chamber of Commerce on Feb. 25. If – as it appears – her crew of experts working on the issue of the conflict between Crown and traditional lands is already on government salary, what’s the money for?
The Leader put that question to the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development in a telephone interview last week.
First of all, said Calahasen, the $6 million is not yet in hand.
“It’s all subject to budget approval,” she said.
Approval – or the lack of it – will come on or about Apr. 6.
It is true, however, that Calahasen requested $25 million and received some sort of a commitment from Premier Klein for $6 million.
As to what it’s needed for, Calahasen said she doesn’t want to get into specifics until after the budget announcement. For the time being, she said “we’re trying to get some consultation work done.”
Calahasen also stressed that she didn’t request the funds just for the use of her department. She is the leader of what she calls a “cross-ministry team,” involving Justice, Energy her own and other ministries.
Their job is to solve the years-old dilemma of access to Crown land where it conflicts with land claimed as traditional territory by First Nations. That conflict has led to what oilfield contractors charge is an unfair business environment, that has put the livelihood of some northern Alberta businesses in jeopardy. It may also have resulted in oil companies simply choosing not to drill on the disputed lands, further hurting the oilpatch economy.
Premier Klein ordered the formation of a committee to look into the problem after the issue came to a head late last year. He put Calahasen in charge and she has maintained since then that a solution that is good for all parties is achievable. But it will apparently not be cheap.
“We’re trying to develop a process that’s going to be reasonably acceptable to all parties,” she told The Leader. “It will probably come down to hiring some people.”

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