OECMs Could Bridge Alberta and Ottawa | Canada News

Canada’s federal government is pushing to protect 30% of the country’s land and water by 2030 — a bold goal requiring 1.6 million square kilometers of new protected areas in just four years. But Alberta’s leaders are pushing back, arguing their definition of “protected” land differs sharply from Ottawa’s. Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin has now hinted that working ranches in Alberta — managed for conservation — could count toward those targets under the “other effective area-based conservation measures” (OECM) category. This approach recognizes land stewarded by ranchers and others who maintain biodiversity outside traditional parks. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, already wary of new federal parks after recent wildfires, sees this as a potential compromise — a way to meet national goals without forcing land into strict park status. The OECM path could be the bridge between federal ambition and provincial resistance. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/991020a5f395784e