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Craig Snodgrass - Mayor of High River keeps the communications open with the local government reps over open pit coal mining on the Eastern Slopes.A few of us from many different areas of life met with MLA Roger Reid & MP John Barlow yesterday. I commend both of these men for attending this meeting to hear concerns and answer questions. This is a very emotional subject and it’s not easy right now to stand in this arena but they did. So far MLA Roger Reid is the only member of the Government of Alberta who has been willing to speak with us and I thank him for attending. Roger and I have had very difficult conversations over the last number of days which have not been easy for either of us. I want to assure you that we have both agreed to always have this line of communication open no matter how hard it is. The Premier and Cabinet are locked down in hiding right now on this issue – I have not heard from the Premier and I have not received the documents showing that “Nothing has changed” which Minister Nixon promised to get me. (this was stated on the Danielle Smith show).
Two issues that I have from yesterday’s meeting.
1. Grassy Mountain – we can all agree that the public input ship has sailed. This is now in the hands of the joint review panel and the federal government. I will lead with faith in this process knowing that Federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change - Johnathan Wilkinson was a selenium expert consultant for Teck in a former professional role. This is a serious and complex subject and we’re glad that the Minister does not have to be educated on it. My one ask for both John and Roger is that we need to refrain from selling Grassy Mine as a reclamation project. This will be an active mine for 25 years with the hope of reclamation at the end if the coal company is still around. Attached pic is one Roger provided me of Grassy.
2. Alberta Coal Policy Rescindment – there has been no movement on this from the Provincial Government, they are currently locked down with no interest to consult. The frustration in this conversation is that John and Roger have been given no more information on the “Nothing Has Changed” subject than the rest of us. This is not a comment or process I can trust. It has changed and it comes down to one single point in this whole conversation. They removed the coal categories and now class 2 is open to mountain top removal mining. This is the mistake they made and why the whole thing has now blown up. Roger stated that he has requested this documentation as well but obviously they are treating their own MLA exactly the same as the rest of us (previous statement removed due to being sound asleep through social 10 class).
I also challenged John on his opening remarks that there is misinformation out there all because of social media. I agree that Facebook can become a sewer pit of information, but the misinformation out there on this subject is directly attached to the lack of communication from the Government. I’ve been there and learned that if you do not provide the information when asked – human beings will make it up as it is the only choice you have given them. Let us be careful who we point the finger at.
Here’s the reality we are dealing with. The Government of Alberta is running scared from this issue. All of them, from the Premier to every single MLA. You can’t tell me that every single MLA in this province agrees implicitly with Premier Kenney on this subject and how they are handling the controversy. It is clear now that they are scared of speaking out against their own government. I’ll let you chew on that one for a bit.
Conservation writer Kevin Van Tighem is bang on in his assessment of how the UCP is mishandling the coal mining controversy.
Opinion: Opening Rockies to coal mining has got Albertans' attention
calgaryherald.com
There is a big difference between being stupid and simply not paying attention. That’s a lesson that the UCP government has yet to learn as they try and grope...My main statement from my interview with Ryan Jespersen.
To the people of Alberta – never think that you don’t have a voice - do not think you are not being heard – yesterday’s announcement proves that you are the critical piece necessary to restore this policy and protect the landscapes and watersheds of our eastern slopes in Alberta.
What has happened by the actions of Premier Kenney, Minister Savage and Minister Nixon is wrong on so many levels and we are being embarrassed across the country and around the world. Yesterday’s announcement was another strategy by the government of Alberta and the coal industry only to try and whitewash over this scandal and calm the public.
It’s time to act now - I encourage all citizens of Alberta to either hit resend on any previous emails you’ve sent to the Premier, Jason Nixon, Sonya Savage, your MLA, your MP or anyone within the Alberta Government or to write a new one and send them over and over and over and do it now. Make the calls, over and over and over until they get the message. Do not mess with our mountains.
Premier Kenney – please put a stop to this charade.
I encourage all municipalities to take a public stand on which ever portion of this issue you choose. It’s great to see Nanton taking a stand last night and great to see Calgary discussing this issue of zero consultation on an issue that effects all Albertans.
I encourage the people of Saskatchewan to take a stand and email your elected officials. Alberta is mandated to make sure that 50% of the water from our rivers must enter your province. This issue is in your backyard to.
Now is not the time to let up – we continue to fight for our people, our water and our landscapes. We will not stop until this is made right.