Okotoks is throwing its weight into opposition of the Province’s rescindment of its 1976 Coal Development Policy for Alberta.
Coun. Tanya Thorn brought forward a notice of motion at council's Jan. 25 meeting to have the Town draft a letter, to be signed by Mayor Bill Robertson and addressed to Premier Jason Kenney and ministers of environment and energy, requesting an immediate rollback of the rescindment, comprehensive public consultation on desired changes to the coal policy, and a thorough analysis of potential watershed impacts.
A second letter will also be sent to Barry Morishita, president of the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association, requesting AUMA develop an advocacy strategy on the issue to drive a consultation process on changes to the coal policy.
“I feel the sooner we get on this the better, and join into the pushback from residents in our province,” said Thorn. “I actually don’t have a strong opinion one way or the other on the rollback of the 1976 coal policy, but where my concern particularly is, is I don’t understand why the rollback occurred.”
She said the fact nobody at the council table or on Town administration could speak to the reasoning behind rescinding the coal policy in June 2020 is proof there was not sufficient public consultation done prior to revoking the policy.
The original policy had included a land-use classification system dividing Alberta into four categories, and Category 2 lands – which include parts of the Canadian Rockies and the foothills – had limited exploration and underground mining permitted, while open-pit mining like the proposed Grassy Mountain Coal Project were banned.
On its website, the Province states the policy had become obsolete due to regulatory, policy and planning advancements in the industry, indicating all projects would flow through the Alberta Energy Regulator review process.
However, Thorn said there isn’t enough information regarding the reasoning behind rescinding the policy entirely rather than updating it.
In addition, she said Category 2 lands could have a significant impact on the watershed for the Sheep River.
“We need to truly understand how that’s being mitigated, if it’s being mitigated, and what the long-term impacts potentially could be,” said Thorn.
Coun. Ed Sands was one of two votes against the motion, citing hesitation to “bite the hand that feeds.”
He said he is astounded at the Province’s decision to rescind a policy without consulting citizens, which he called a breach of trust with the provincial government, but is wary of joining in the fight.
“If we exist at the pleasure of the provincial government, and we need them to live and survive and exist as a municipality, I’m very cautious,” said Sands.
He added it’s not likely the mining operations will get past Alberta Environment if they pose any threat to watershed or the surrounding environment.
Coun. Matt Rockley agreed with Sands, noting he couldn’t see the logic in rescinding the policy but didn’t want to see the Town harm its relationship with the Province, which he said was a more likely possibility than seeing the water supply impacted.
“As the Town of Okotoks, as a creature of the Province who needs funding, I think it’s too large a risk in damaging that relationship,” he said.
Mayor Bill Robertson said the issue was too important to sit idly by, despite low odds of the mining project having a direct affect on Okotoks’ water supply. He said if done correctly, opposing a government decision shouldn’t impact the relationship.
“I think we can disagree with something respectfully,” said Robertson. “We can disagree without being disagreeable. We can do it in a diplomatic fashion.”
The period for public submission closed earlier this month, with a virtual hearing on Jan. 15.
A review panel from AER will submit its recommendation for approval or denial of the proposed project by June 18, at which time the Province has 150 days to announce its decision.
The Town of High River and Foothills County have also opted to send letters of concern over the 1976 coal policy and lack of public consultation to the Province.
