Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

Province of Alberta

• Identifies and designates Crown land as All-Season Resort Areas.
• Consults Indigenous communities before designation.
• Engages the public before designation.
• Administers the process to identify and select a potential developer.
• Reviews resort applications, development plans and supporting studies, including environmental assessments.
• Decides whether a resort lease is granted.
• Sets requirements for how development is built and operated, including staff housing, environmental protection and visitor management.
• Provides environmental and regulatory oversight throughout the life of the resort.

Greenview

• Cannot designate Crown land. That decision rests with the Province.
• Identifies opportunities to support tourism and economic development in the Grande Cache area.
• Provides local knowledge on suitable Crown land and site considerations.
• Regulates development within municipal jurisdiction through planning, bylaws and permits.
• Plans and manages municipal infrastructure and services that may support future development.
• Engages residents, businesses, Indigenous communities and other interested parties.
• Brings local knowledge and community perspectives into provincial 
  decision-making.

An All-Season Resort Area is Crown land identified by the Province as having potential for year-round resort development.

Information taken into consideration includes:

• Economic viability and market potential
• Location and access
• Natural setting and recreation assets
• Infrastructure and servicing capacity
• Environmental suitability, and fit with community and Indigenous interests

It Means:

• The area is brought under the All-Season Resorts Act.
• The Province can begin a process to identify a potential developer.
• A developer could submit a resort application.
• Any application would still require environmental, technical and regulatory review.

It Does Not Mean:

• A resort has been approved. 
• A developer has been selected. 
• Construction can begin. 
• Environmental or other regulatory approvals have been granted. 

• Mountain, lake and wilderness landscapes
• Four-season outdoor recreation
• Access to Willmore Wilderness Park and regional trails
• Highway 40 access
• Existing tourism and visitor services
• Proximity to Grande Cache and community infrastructure

Jobs & workforce
Year-round employment, hospitality, guiding, trades, maintenance and retail.

Local businesses
More visitors and opportunities for restaurants, shops, tourism operators, contractors and suppliers.

Community
Potential investment in community infrastructure and assets, additional recreation opportunities, and broader economic activity.

Indigenous Opportunities
Potential partnerships, Indigenous-led businesses, tourism opportunities, and participation in future development.

Local Fit
Development that reflects the scale, needs and character of the community.

*Note: These are potential opportunities. No report proposal currently exists.

The Committee was created to ensure that, if an all-season resort designation is pursued in the Grande Cache area, local knowledge and community priorities are part of the discussion from the beginning.

 The Committee will:

• Identify and evaluate opportunities to attract a private resort developer to the Grande Cache area.
• Recommend suitable Crown land near Grande Cache that may be appropriate for consideration as an All-Season Resort Area.
• Advise Council on strategies, incentives and conditions that could help attract responsible development.
• Consider local fit, including how a potential resort could complement existing businesses, tourism operations and infrastructure.
• Engage the community, including residents, business owners, tourism operators and Indigenous communities.
• Bring local knowledge forward so that Greenview’s approach reflects the needs, opportunities and character of Grande Cache.

The Committee will include:

• 2 Greenview Councillors
• 4 representatives from the local business, tourism and workforce development community
• 2 representatives of local Indigenous nations or organizations
• 2 non-voting members of Greenview Administration who provide support to the Committee

Designation creates a management zone; it does not automatically restrict access. The Province must maintain public access in line with existing legislation. Specific access questions get worked out through the designation and development process.

No. Greenview is working to attract one. Whether that happens depends on provincial designation, developer interest, and approvals that are years away.

Provincial environmental standards still apply. The Act points to existing legislation rather than replacing it, requires environmental assessments before approval, and requires designations to align with regional plans under the Alberta Land Stewardship Act.

Yes — consultation will be done before land is designated and again before development proceeds. In addition, two seats on Greenview's Advisory Committee are reserved for representatives of local Indigenous nations or organizations.