Good afternoon everyone! Welcome back. We have two important news items we want to discuss today, with the first being the provincial election happening as we speak and the second being mining operations being ready to begin in Grande Cache.
To begin with, as you all know, next Monday, May 29th, is Election Day for Alberta! We strongly encourage you all to vote. As you may recall, the United Conservative Party (UCP) was the party that allowed open-pit mining plans to be drafted way back in 2020. Only after a huge public outcry that saw urban dwellers, farmers, politicians, and nature lovers come together did the UCP back down.
Despite this, the UCP is STILL open to allowing open-pit mines to be developed around the Rocky Mountains. In contrast to the Albertan New Democratic Party (ANDP), the UCP has NOT stated they will protect the Rocky Mountains foothills from exploitation. In fact, when the ANDP put forward a bill to ban mining in the Rocky Mountains, the UCP refused to accept it and simply shot it down (see: https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/alberta-new-democrats-to-retable-bill-to-block-coal-mining-in-rocky-mountains-1.5818652?cache=%3FclipId%3D89531%3FcontactForm%3Dtrue )
Their commitment to destructive mining practices can be seen in the approval of Summit Mine 14, a mining project in development a mere four kilometers from Grande Cache (https://iaac-aeic.gc.ca/050/evaluations/proj/83917 ).
Many locals have expressed concern at the idea of a mine being built, including the Aseniwuche Winewak Nation, but when the Australian company, Summit Coal Inc., responsible for the mine was asked for a stakeholder meeting, the request was ignored (see: https://thenarwhal.ca/grande-cache-coal-mine-alberta/ ).
On the other hand, the ANDP has made it an official policy (https://www.albertandp.ca/ban-coal-mining ) to ban coal mining in our beautiful Rocky Mountains. As seen on their website, they want to pass the Eastern Slopes Protection Act, which will BAN mining projects on both the mountains themselves and surrounding areas.
As a result, we strongly urge each and every one of you to VOTE. The future of Alberta is at stake here; the winner of Monday’s election will decide provincial government policy until 2027.
The time to act is now. Did the proposed open-pit mines bother you? Were you angry at being ignored by the government? Do you want your voice to be heard? Then Monday, May 29th, is your chance to VOTE and DECIDE the government Alberta will have for the next four years. Feel free to tell all of your neighbors to support the party that wants to see our mountains protected too!
Until next time,
Concerned Citizens of Alberta’s Administrator
P.S. Big thanks to Sergei A for the awesome picture!