Government
Steven Guilbeault
Steven Guilbeault is the former federal minister of Environment and Climate Change (October 26, 2021 – March 13, 2025). In 2022 he denied a request for a federal review of components of the Alberta Irrigation Modernization project, which included the Chin Reservoir put forward by several environmental groups.
Guilbeault’s rationale is that these concerns would be addressed through provincial legislation and don’t warrant a federal assessment (via the Western Producer).
Guilbeault now serves as the minister of Canadian Identity and Culture, as well as the minister responsible for official languages (assumed role May 13, 2025).
Devin Dreeshen
Devin Dreeshen is the former provincial minister of Agriculture and Forestry (now titled Agriculture and Irrigation) (April 30, 2019 - November 5, 2021). Dreeshen held this portfolio when the project was announced. With the Government of Alberta as one of the major funders behind the Alberta Irrigation Modernization project, Dreeshen stated:
“Expanding the Chin Reservoir will mean tremendous new opportunities for farmers, ranchers, food processors and the communities they support.” – via CTV news
Dreeshen now serves as the provincial minister of transportation and economic corridors
(assumed role October 21, 2022).
RJ Sigurdson
RJ Sigurdson is the current provincial minister of Agriculture and Irrigation (assumed role June 9, 2023). Backing the infrastructure expansion, he highlights government support for the project and recognition of the critical importance of irrigation in Alberta in a statement to My Lethbridge Now in February 2025:
“The water-sharing agreements that they agreed to last year were essential for distributing water across all of southern Alberta – and it’s because of situations that we have seen in the last three years that our government recognizes that we have to start looking at irrigation more seriously as a critical infrastructure piece, especially for the agricultural industry and the growth in the agricultural industry.” – via My Lethbridge Now
Grant Hunter
Grant Hunter has been the MLA of Taber-Warner since 2015. He currently serves as the Associate Minister of Water and Chief Government Whip. Hunter echoed the positive support for the project in a 2021 statement to CTV:
“More water storage capacity in the Chin Reservoir is good news for the producers and processors in our area.” – via CTV news