NDP’s McPherson forces federal government to act on coal mining

OTTAWA – Today, after NDP MP Heather McPherson (Edmonton Strathcona) pushed the federal government to protect Alberta’s Rocky Mountains and Eastern Slopes, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change announced that he will use his authority to require all new coal mines and mine expansion projects undergo federal environmental impact assessment.

“We can't trust Jason Kenney to protect the Rocky Mountains and Eastern Slopes. Albertans need federal oversight,” said McPherson, the lone non-Conservative MP from Alberta. “Coal mining is not the future Albertans want or need. I’m thankful that the federal government is listening to Albertans on this issue. We need to stand up to Jason Kenney and prevent him from destroying our mountains, our water, our wildlife, and our land for generations to come.”

Prior to the announcement mining companies could avoid federal environmental review by limiting the output of new coal mines and mining expansion projects. The government’s announcement comes in response to McPherson’s request for a regional environmental assessment of the impacts of coal exploration and development in Alberta’s Rocky Mountains and Eastern Slopes and just 8 days after McPherson tabled a Private Members Bill to remove the exception in the federal Impact Assessment Act that allowed coal mines to avoid federal review.

“This is a huge win for Canadians and the future of our environment. This is a perfect example of what New Democrats can achieve when you send them to Ottawa,” said the NDP Critic for Natural Resources, Richard Cannings (South Okanagan – West Kootenay). “The NDP will continue to take real action on climate change that protects families and communities while investing in the next generation of jobs across the country.”

On Friday, Wilkinson is scheduled to receive the Joint Panel Review report on the controversial Grassy Mountain metallurgical coal mine that has sparked outrage among Albertans in the region and downstream from the mine, with environmentalists and Indigenous activists joining farmers, ranchers, and tourism proponents to protest the mine that will decapitate Grassy Mountain.

You can count on New Democrats to continue to fight for Albertans and the protection of the Rocky Mountains and Eastern Slopes.