Federal government agrees to McPherson’s request on coal mining

Minister announces federal impact assessment will be required for all coal projects

Today, in a letter to NDP MP Heather McPherson (Edmonton Strathcona), Jonathan Wilkinson, 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. Prior to the announcement mining companies could avoid federal environmental review by limiting the output of new coal mines and mining expansion projects.

The announcement came 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.

McPherson, the lone non-Conservative MP in the Alberta caucus, didn’t hesitate to identify her motivation for the policy change, stating “We can't trust Jason Kenney to protect the Rocky Mountains and Eastern Slopes. Albertans need federal oversight.”

McPherson, who learned of Wilkinson’s decision in a phone call with the Minister last evening, welcomed the change in policy, stating that she is “deeply grateful for the Minister’s intervention” but has no plans to pull her Private Members Bill which will “ensure that this policy change is embedded in law going forward.”

Last week, Wilkinson announced a policy change on thermal coal, effectively banning expansion for existing mines that produce coal for electricity. 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.

“Coal mining is not the future Albertans want or need,” added McPherson. “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.”