United Conservative government hosts town hall to address Alberta coal mining concerns

Hundreds of people packed a town hall in Fort Macleod, hoping the premier and cabinet ministers would hear their views on coal mining in Alberta.

A raucous crowd of hundreds packed a town hall meeting with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith in Fort Macleod on Wednesday night.

The premier and some of her cabinet ministers joined the local UCP MLA to talk about the government’s coal mining policy and hear some people’s views.

The crowd was mostly anti-coal, concerned about the environmental impact of mining.

Musician and activist Corb Lund said the message is the same five years on.

“We still don’t want the coal mines,” he said.

“This isn’t a party thing—I don’t particularly like any of the parties—and it’s not about resources—I’m not into resources—but this particular project doesn’t make any sense.

“I don’t know what the government’s motivation is, but they just keep pushing and keep pushing and keep pushing.”

Bobbi Lambright with the Livingston Landowners Group said she’s one of many who are “very concerned that there seems to be continued interest with forging ahead with coal development in an area where it should never occur.”

Brenda Davison, president of the Crowsnest Conservation society, said she’s “hoping they’ll get a new perspective about what the people down here are thinking.”

As Smith arrived for the town hall, demonstrators against coal mining were chanting “water, not coal.”

The premier said she looked forward to hearing their views inside.

Smith told media she hoped after the town hall “that people know that we took the recommendations of the coal committee seriously in implementing a change in policy.”

She said that change includes “banning any open-pit mines and mountaintop removal, making sure the best available technology is used to manage water and, where possible, start using some of the new underground techniques to avoid disturbing the surface.”

Smith also said she doesn’t accept the anti-coal stance.

“I think we have to remember we’re talking about coal that is used to make steel,” she said.

“I’m sure the same people love renewable energy. You can’t make solar panels without coal. You can’t make wind turbines without coal.

“We have to have a balanced approach.”

People started lining up to get into the meeting more than two hours before doors opened.

Several did not make it in when the capacity of 450 was reached.

Inside, the premier said some coal mining will be permitted on the eastern slopes of the Rockies if the Alberta Energy Regulator approves it.

Only exploratory work by Australia-based Northback on Grassy Mountain has been given a green light so far.

Outside, Smith told media, “I think there’s a concern that if you allow one, you’ll allow nine, and that’s not what’s happening here.”

Smith was heckled by anti-coal advocates.

Several people at the town hall do support coal projects.

They say the region needs jobs and economic development.

Dave Baines with NWP Coal Canada, a company looking to develop a coal mine in B.C., said he was there to better understand people’s concerns.

He said mining has changed.

He said, “The way we mined 50 years ago was terrible,” and “People keep comparing what might happen in the future in mining to what was done in the past,” and said that’s like comparing the safety of a vehicle from the ’70s with one from today.

The mayor of Fort Macleod tells CTV News town council has not taken an official position.

Brent Feyter says council has heard from delegations on both sides of the issue, and he encourages citizens to get informed.