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By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

NDP will ban coal mining in the Rockies, if elected

Apr 22, 2023 | 2:51 PM

The Alberta NDP announced Saturday it will ban coal mining in the Rockies, “once and for all,” if elected this May.

The party says it will introduce the Eastern Slopes Protection Act in order to do so.

“Alberta’s NDP will protect our parks and our public lands, and the livelihoods of all the people who depend on them,” said Kathleen Ganley, Alberta NDP Energy Critic for and candidate for Calgary-Mountain View.

“The Eastern Slopes Protection Act will close all loopholes and give Albertans the peace of mind they deserve.”

The NDP introduced a private member’s bill to the same effect last year, but it was voted down. That was after it had been endorsed by the multi-party Private Members’ Bill Committee.

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“There wouldn’t be continued investment from coal companies if the UCP had firmly closed the door on mining in the province’s most beautiful landscapes and important watersheds,” said Marlin Schmidt, Alberta NDP Environment Critic and candidate for Edmonton-Gold Bar.

“We will engage Albertans and Indigenous communities in meaningful consultations about how we use the land.”

As the NDP notes, it was May 2020 when the UCP rescinded the 1976 Lougheed Coal Policy, then issued a number of leases and permits to foreign coal mining companies, including for work in the Eastern Slopes area.

Then-Premier Jason Kenney suspended the changes following public outcry, and announced there’d be a report to come from a new Coal Policy Committee.

The NDP say the report’s results show Albertans overwhelmingly support the goals of its Eastern Slopes Protection Act.