Dispute over Bow River between Alberta minister and a Kennedy

January 3, 2002
Source: CBC Calgary
Original story - link verified on January 3, 2002

Alberta's Minister of Environment is engaged in a war of words with Robert Kennedy Jr. over the province's Bow River. The controversy erupted when Kennedy, an environmental lawyer and a member of the famous family in American politics, told reporters he believes the Bow River needs saving. Kennedy is in Banff for a fundraiser for his group: Waterkeeper Alliance. In response, Lorne Taylor said: "We don't need a bunch of rich Americans coming to Alberta and telling us how to manage our resources." Taylor admits making the statement, saying he believes his government is already doing a pretty good job protecting the Bow River. "What I'm suggesting is, before they come in and make statements about issues in Alberta, they need to sit down with the local people," says Taylor. "It's the local people who understand the issues, the local people who live with the issues." Taylor says he would have no problem sitting down with Kennedy to discuss the laws already in place to protect the Bow River. Kennedy was skiing at Sunshine and couldn't be reached for comment, Thursday. The Waterkeeper Alliance fundraiser, taking place in Banff over the next few days, has attracted a number of Hollywood stars, including Glenn Close, Matthew Modine and Robert Shapiro.

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