The Alberta Court of Appeal has reserved a decision on two appeals that may block an intensive livestock operation proposed for central
Alberta.
Lawyers for Taiwan Sugar, which wants to build a 7,000-sow hog barn complex, and the Flagstaff County Family Farm Promotional Society, which is fighting the project, must submit written arguments.
One appeal was filed by the society, a group of residents near Hardisty who are opposed to the previously approved $42 million hog barn development.
The second appeal is by two society members who applied for development permits to build homes on their land. The permits were turned down because the homes would be too close to one of the proposed hog barns.
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Lana Love, a society member who sat through the eight-hour appeal hearing, said the justices had read the four books of transcripts from the previous hearings and “pummeled” lawyers from both sides for details.
“I think we’ll finally get some justice on this.”
The lawyers must submit the briefs by Dec. 18. Each has until Jan. 2 to respond to the submissions. The three justices can recall the lawyers if they need more clarification.
A decision on whether the hog barns can be built is expected next year.
Love is not sure how a new provincial ILO bill will affect the project. The bill gives responsibility to the provincial government, instead of municipal government, for approving ILOs.
