Alberta town endorses community developed policy saying no to coal mining in Rockies
A southern Alberta town has become what it says is the first municipality to endorse a community-developed policy that calls for a permanent ban on new coal exploration and development in the Rocky Mountains.
"We've always wanted to keep our involvement in continuing this fight until we've reached the finish line – and we're a long ways away from that yet,'' Craig Snodgrass, mayor of High River, said in an interview Wednesday.
The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society said High River has joined 30 organizations in signing a document called "A Coal Policy for Alberta – 2022 and Beyond.''
Katie Morrison, executive director for the southern Alberta chapter of the society, said the document draws on a resolution made by the town of High River last year.
"It really did address clearly how we could address the concerns of Albertans and permanently prohibit coal in Alberta and immediately make that step,'' Morrison said.
The policy, she said, outlines ways to deal with Albertans' concerns by saying no to new coal exploration and mines, phasing out existing coal mines and coming up with a remediation plan for lands disturbed by mining.
Snodgrass said the document keeps the conversation about coal going.
"This group that put this document together did an excellent job and it's just the next step of what needs to happen to fulfil the wishes of Albertans in putting an end to coal mining.''
The policy was created with input from a wide range of Albertans, including Indigenous groups, hunters, anglers, ranchers, rural landowners, businesses, conservationists and recreationists.
"The government and all parties should reflect on the directives in this policy and adopt them and implement them toward a new modern coal policy for the province,'' said Morrison.
The United Conservative government two years ago revoked protection from coal development on the summits and foothills in southwestern Alberta that had been in place since 1976.
Thousands of hectares were quickly leased for exploration, but a public outcry forced the government to halt those activities and pause lease sales.
A statement from Alberta Energy said the government listened to Albertans and put strong new restrictions in place to protect the eastern slopes of the Rockies.
"In March, a ministerial order was implemented that extended the restrictions on coal exploration and development to protect the eastern slopes until new or updated land-use plans are in place,'' said the statement. "The reinstated 1976 coal policy also remains in place.
"Our approach is based on the reports and recommendations of the coal policy committee, which spoke directly to Albertans about coal, and which we fully accepted.''
Ron Wallace, who was the chairman of the committee, said he's pleased the government accepted its recommendations.
"We're looking forward very much to seeing policies and procedures that are brought forward by the government of Alberta that actually implement those recommendations,'' he said.
Wallace said he has received a copy of the community document.
"It looks like their work is pretty much based upon and consistent with the work of the coal policy committee,'' he said. "In that regard, I am really pleased to see the momentum and the interest that is going forward on this file.
"This report will be of value to the government of Alberta as it develops its implementation plans to deal with our recommendations."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 25, 2022
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
More than half the Canadians once detained in Syrian camps for suspected ISIS family members have returned home
A total of 29 Canadians have been freed from detention camps in northeast Syria and brought back to Canada since human rights advocates began lobbying for their release years ago.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Amish youth experience a rite of passage called Rumspringa. It’s not what you might think
The idea of “Rumspringa” has a specific spot in the American imagination. A rite of passage for young people in some Amish communities, Rumspringa is seen by most outsiders as a wild time away from strict Amish rules, when teenagers can experiment with the modern vices of the world.