Fildebrandt suggests “taking gloves off” with GFL
By Fildebrandt suggests “taking gloves off” with GFL
Sharon McLeay Photo
The group and the county have been trying to get GFL to negotiate and mediate problems at the plant that are allegedly impacting area residents’ daily lives.
“Green for Life, and other company names this site has gone under, has been one of the most important and least fruitful files I have dealt with in the Strathmore-Brooks constituency to date,” said Fildebrandt.
Fildebrandt said he visited the site and was hopeful of finding and mediating solutions in the beginning of the process; however, he said the process has broken down.
“I have done absolutely everything in my power to deal with these people. They have made promises to me, promises to the constituents and property owners, and promises to you as council which they have not kept,” said Fildebrandt. “Now they even refuse to sit down in private meetings.”
He said he was frustrated with Alberta Environment’s absence and response to this issue, and added that Alberta Environment has intervened in many issues in the province but refuses to get involved in this instance.
“It is up to Alberta Environment to live up to their name. They are not doing their job,” said Fildebrandt. “It is my reading of this council that they are prepared to go further than the previous council, which is very positive and needed.”
He said he normally doesn’t interfere in small or large business operations, but when the company refuses to deal with the community members in their vicinity and their practises are harming others, he is willing to stand up for residents’ needs.
“I have a strong fear that GFL, being a very large international corporation, has outsized political influence across various political parties and government, (and) that many people are afraid to take them on due to the huge influence that they exercise. I want people to know they have no influence over me. I don’t care what they do, coming towards me, and I hope that all of you take the same position that we serve the local people here, we do not serve outside corporate interests. We welcome businesses and corporations here as they create jobs, but they have to be part of sharing in this community and living together with the people they share the area with,” said Fildebrandt, who added he thinks it is time to take the gloves off and possibly take legal action.