By Alex McCuaig

Sage grouse lawsuit

Evidence deadline passes in sage grouse lawsuit

Oct 6, 2019 | 2:29 PM

Medicine Hat, AB – The city’s lawsuit against the federal government relating to protections put in place to protect sage grouse is moving ahead following the near completion of affidavits being filed.

Medicine Hat councillors voted to purchase the Manyberries oilfield during a special council meeting in January 2012 for nearly $50 million.

The city and LGX Oil filed the lawsuit in January 2014 seeking a judicial review of the federal government’s decision in late 2013 to place the country’s first emergency protection order under the Species at Risk Act.

The federal attorney general had a deadline of Oct. 4 to file affidavit evidence with the exception of a U of A biologist`s which is required by Oct. 18.

The current schedule for the proceedings will see the parties able to set a hearing date by April 3, 2020.

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The city and LGX Oil also have a separate $123 million lawsuit against the federal government claiming damages for losses both parties say were a result of the protection order.

The federal government is, in part, arguing the city should have known the oilfield was subject to future regulations.