Alberta’s Coal Policy review is flawed
By Letter to the Editor on April 20, 2021.
There’s one sure-fire way to anger Albertans-promise us one thing and then renege on the promise.
In the midst of the rage over an extremely ill-considered plan to throw open the Eastern Slopes for coal mining we were promised an independent process to provide advice to government on the future of coal. From the terms of reference we have learned it’s not about an open, unfettered opportunity to tell the UCP government of our concerns about water contamination, of diverting water to wash coal, the reality of recreation, fish and wildlife and sustainable business losses, a real concern over human health, the inability to reclaim or restore mined areas and the overarching issue of climate change. Rather than discussing whether or not coal mining is a good idea, it is about the “where, when and how” of development.
A coal policy review on its own, with such a narrow focus is a classic square peg in a round hole. No amount of pounding will make it fit with the concerns of Albertans. The focus of the review is on three bits of legislation, all of which relate to the “orderly, efficient and economic development” of coal. The word “environment” only shows up in one of these Acts and only in the context of coal development. Yet, it is the environmental issues surrounding coal development that Albertans want to discuss, not where we want holes dug in our Eastern Slopes to meet the needs of foreign coal companies.
Coal can’t be considered on its own, outside of regional, evidence-based land use planning which includes cumulative effects assessments and reviews of ecological thresholds. The Eastern Slopes are already busy and we can’t afford to cram new developments like coal onto them without consequences to our essential watersheds.
In this flawed process Energy minister Savage is directing us to look through a telescope, but from the wrong end. That fails miserably to see and provide meaningful input on the larger context of coal and the issues surrounding its mining in the Eastern Slopes.
This has the feel of a Monty Python farce where the UCP government is asking us which arm or leg we want amputated?
The overwhelming majority of Albertans have already said- we don’t want an arm or a leg amputated!
Minister Savage’s response is-Sorry, your only choice is which arm or leg. Do you have a preference for the location of the surgical procedure? When would you like this done? Are you confident we can amputate your limb successfully? Would you like to know more about surgical oversight? Do you want to provide feedback on your anticipated amputation through written comments, online surveys, or virtual meetings?
This doesn’t look or feel like consultation. Instead, it is a divorce from reality and has all the hallmarks of a condescending brush-off.
By constraining Albertan’s input to a narrow discussion, and not what most want to talk about is reminiscent of cattle being herded down a chute, to a predictable endpoint at the slaughter house. The failed promise to have an open discussion on a broad suite of concerns represents a massive failure of the UCP government to effectively listen. It is about controlling the agenda, narrowing the focus to a predetermined outcome.
The outcome seems to be about giving legitimacy to coal mining in the Eastern Slopes despite the incompatibility with maintaining water quality, stream flows, air quality, biodiversity, recreation/tourism, aesthetics, traditional values and other sustainable endeavors as well as dealing with climate change. No amount of promised reclamation, mitigation or remediation will glue our mountains back together after open-pit coal mining. The Eastern Slopes are a gift we will not be given twice.
This bait and switch technique over coal is an insult to Albertans. It makes us even more wary of “consultation” and suspicious of the final recommendations when we are shoehorned into a limited range of topics. The UCP seems inexplicably invested in coal development despite the weight of evidence this is not in the social, cultural, economic and environmental interests of Albertans. It must be driven by a powerful ideology where the answer comes before the question.
In terms of this flawed approach to a review of Alberta’s coal policy, there is no right way to do the wrong thing.
Lorne Fitch is a Professional Biologist, a retired Fish and Wildlife Biologist and a past Adjunct Professor with the University of Calgary.
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Thanks Lorne Fitch! It could not be said better. That the Kenney UCP would keep doing ‘the wrong thing’ here, beggars belief. No wonder Kenney himself and his ‘merry band’ are running so low in opinions and voting intentions. Do they really believe that by ignoring and betraying us that it will will generate votes for them with impunity? Are they trying to do as much damage to us and Alberta before they are given the boot? Folks can only be fooled and abused for so long before it becomes unbearable.
Spectacularly written Lorne. Thank you for your comments . Your reference to Monty Python is so illustrative of what really is happening in Alberta and Canada and spurs something I have often thought of (sadly). Politics today also reminds me of THE GONG SHOW “At risk of being interpreted as exhibiting disrespect to those lost to CoVid -19 and of offending their loved ones PLEASE understand that is not my intent at all. I have always believed; the theme song for the UCP Party since COVID has begun is Monty Python’s “Always Look On The Bright Side of Life” (from the movie The Life of Bryon) I believe Justin Trudeau and the Federal Liberal’s song would be Bob Marley’s ” Don’t Worry Be Happy.” If we; “THE PEOPLE” put our trust, faith and belief in these “Politicians”. If these politicians represent the best… we can get … WE ARE ALL IN SERIOUS TROUBLE. Executive Party Members of Political Parties need to seriously review vetting processes for these “politicians” and these executive members along with “politicians” seriously need to start paying attention to what constituents are saying.
Respectfully,
Les Elford
Les, good thoughts but no hope of success as there is no payback which s the reason the politicians are involved
phlushie: Thank you for your kind words of wisdom. It is not about me, but all of us. The only thing that we the people; should focus on about “being in this together” is getting rid of these politicians both Provincially, and Federally. I am sorry to say that I am not confident in any current Federal Party being capable, I see the UCP in totality as being culpable not capable. I am not not smart enough to offer real alternative ideas. Although I do like the idea of; Citizen Assemblies and or following the NWT model of having independent government representation. I am so glad Mr. Kenny was too young to be a disciple of Jim Jones. Sadly; I do believe he has every one of the current elected UCP MLAs and support staff drinking the Kool-Aid. I would dare say that those officials are doing their best to offer the Kool-Aide to everyone else in Alberta. Call me naïve, call me a dreamer, call me ill informed if you must, but this is NOT the democracy (Provincially and Federally) I grew up in and have lived in throughout my 63 years.
We CAN do better! The People have always had the power for change. But, we have handed it over to the politicians, and now look what we have.
Respectfully,
Les Elford
And thank you for your response, How can we make more people respond?