Hi everyone! It has been a few weeks since the last update, with little activity in the meantime. However, now that we are in the final stages of October, public consultation for these disastrous projects is now available, with live sessions destined to take place very soon. The first live session will be occurring on October 27th, but you can already state your opinion to the federal government (details in second paragraph!). This is our big chance to show the Albertan and Canadian Governments and the foreign mining companies that we DO NOT WANT any huge open-pit mines poisoning our environment and destroying our natural areas.
To begin with, the federal government has recently opened the comments section for the Grassy Mountain Coal Project. This comments section was created to get a feel for what Canadians, and especially Albertans, think about this project. The final decision on whether to approve this project or not will take public feedback such as this into consideration. Our voices are highly influential, as these projects will affect us most of all. As such, please go to this website (link in the third paragraph) and leave a comment detailing your opposition to the mine, and don’t forget to include a link to this petition (40,000+ voices makes for good backup) .This is our first real chance to directly let the federal government know how many of us oppose this project, and the more comments we have, the more likely our position will be accepted and the project will be rejected.
To submit a comment, click the link at the end of this paragraph and scroll down until it says “Participate”. Click on the button that says “Submit a Comment” and you will be guided as to how to leave your input. You will have to login using an e-mail, but the login takes about 30 seconds and the website will allow you to post your comment directly on the project’s main page. The link to the website is here: https://iaac-aeic.gc.ca/050/evaluations/proj/80101?wbdisable=true
As stated before, a live session will be taking place on October 27th on Youtube and Zoom. Participants include the would-be destroyers Benga Mining Ltd. and the Joint Review Panel. If you can make it to this livestream at this date, please do so, and make sure to leave a comment stating you do not want this project to go ahead. You do not have to stay for the entire hearing, but just make sure to say you are against the project (and if you live in Alberta say that as well). Unfortunately, the time is to be determined, but as soon as we learn when the session starts, I will send out an update. The full hearing schedule can be found here: https://iaac-aeic.gc.ca/050/documents/p80101/136372E.pdf
Lastly, we have to remind the federal and provincial government that we are still aware of this project and still find it undesirable. To make it easier for everyone, an organization concerned about the projects has created a template where all you have to do is put your email address and your name, and an email will be sent for you. If you can personalize it, all the better, but just sending it is fine too. Scroll down to the end, as the email is all the way at the bottom of the webpage. The link can be found here: https://www.endangeredecosystemsalliance.org/news/2020/7/21/stop-open-pit-coal-mining-in-alberta#:~:text=On%20May%2015%2C%202020%20the,province%27s%20Rocky%20Mountains%20and%20foothills
Thank you so much for your support! If we all take action to stop this project in the public consultation phase, we will stop these projects and ensure Alberta remains clean and healthy for years to come.
Until very soon,
-Concerned Citizens of Alberta’s Administrator
P.S.
If you want to reach us, send an email to Concernedcitizensab@gmail.com
As well, feel free to share this petition to anyone if you have not already. The more signatures the better!
P.P.S.
Links to other stories about the opposition to these projects:
https://thenarwhal.ca/alberta-ranchers-grazing-lands-coal-mines/
https://www.ponokanews.com/opinion/foip-documents-and-alberta-parks/