Cattle drive on a road with the eastern slopes of the Alberta Rockies in the background. The company has developed wildlife and fish monitoring programs to sustain those populations, and also has a plan in place to safely and effectively manage selenium, it says. While the Grassy Mountain project is the furthest along in the development process, other coal mining companies also have their sights set on Alberta. Read more about cookies here. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 22, 2021. Photo by Brendan Miller/Postmedia. I don't know why we have to be put through the wringer to find out this information that they held a press conference to announce.". “We have a robust regulatory system — significantly more robust than in 1976, and environmental regulations have come a long way since then.”. Chris Schwarz/Government of Alberta SUNDRE - The official Opposition NDP caucus is calling for Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre UCP MLA Jason Nixon to be removed from the government’s COVID-19 cabinet committee following comments Nixon made in a recent Albertan interview. You have permission to edit this article. Alberta Environment and Parks Minister Jason Nixon is seen during a news conference in Calgary on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020. But on that score, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney appears determined to outdo himself. Last February, the United Conservative government announced a plan to fully or partially close 20 provincial parks and seek third-party partners to run another 164 of them. "Is it just to maintain these places or is there more operational and management responsibility? Will they be expected to manage ecology in the same way? Alberta Environment and Parks Minister Jason Nixon is seen during a news conference in Calgary on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020. We encountered an issue signing you up. If you don't see it please check your junk folder. We apologize, but this video has failed to load. The government said in December that "more than a dozen'' new deals had been reached. Provincial Environment Minister Jason Nixon is assuring Albertans there will be no "free-for-all" of coal mining on the eastern slopes of the Rockies, in spite of concerns raised by a pair of high-profile country music stars this week. The areas for which partners couldn't be found would lose park status and revert to general Crown land. "We haven't been able to get anything from them," said Katie Morrison of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society. Environment Minister Jason Nixon is assuring Albertans there will be no “free-for-all” of coal mining on the eastern slopes of the Rockies, in spite of concerns raised by a pair of high-profile country music stars this week. Environment and Parks Minister Jason Nixon at a media conference on Thursday, April 30, 2020. However, Nixon said Alberta Energy’s move to lift restrictions on coal mining in certain areas does not mean that there aren’t strict environmental protections and regulations in place. On Jan. 7, Alberta Environment spokeswoman Jess Sinclair said government lawyers were considering privacy concerns. For information regarding the Digital News Tax Credit, No 'free-for-all' coal mining on eastern slopes of Rockies: environment minister. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings. It's been almost a year since the plan was revealed in the budget and Alberta Parks is to begin accepting reservations March 4 for this summer's camping season. “I think there’s a misconception that this somehow removes all these environmental protections around where mines can be built, how you manage water issues … and nothing could be further from the truth,” he said. Alberta Environment and Parks Minister Jason Nixon takes part in a news conference in Calgary, on Sept. 15, 2020. Nothing has since been released. Many of Alberta's 473 parks and recreation areas have had some kind of third-party management for years. "Will they be managing infrastructure in the same way? Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. Morrison said it's crucial to know what's in the new agreements. "We don't know if a third-party partner is expected to be held to the same standards as an Alberta Parks manager," she said. EDMONTON -- Alberta, home to the world's largest protected area of boreal landscape, is moving to expand and turn it into a provincial park. When it comes to bad ideas, they don’t get much worse than sinking $1.5 billion worth of taxpayer dollars into a pipeline project that depended on the continued support of the least popular American president in modern history.. Please try again. 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4. Despite repeated requests from politicians, environmental groups and The Canadian Press, Alberta Environment won't say with whom it's signed new parks management contracts, what the contracts contain or how many there are. Wark said that includes at least 70 sites on the list released in December. We ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. In the face of fierce public opposition, the government announced in late December that no parks would be delisted and that partners for 170 parks had been found. Similarly, his wife, Tiffany Nixon, works for a pipeline company. "It's indicative of the entire process," she said. "I don't know why they wouldn't put it out there," he said. Brandt then threw his support behind Lund, arguing in an Instagram post that the province is putting economic benefit ahead of long-term consequences that he believes could devastate the land for future generations. “The landscape can only handle so much, we know that, and we work to find a balance, protecting the environment with economic benefits.”. If you have an event you'd like to list on the site, submit it now! Sign up to receive daily headline news from the Calgary Herald, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Todd Korol. Opponents of these projects have criticized the Alberta government for rescinding the 1970s-era coal policy legislation, saying the move has opened the door to intensive coal development in the region and poses a significant threat to wildlife, watersheds and air quality in the area. In the 2019 general election, Nixon became a minister of the environment and parks in Alberta. Critics ask why no details on government plan for parks management, Critics want details on Alberta parks deals, Housing minister warns of tent city in Penticton, If you are an Okanagan builder: NO VACANCY, 'Big, fat lie:' Vassilaki, Eby clash over homeless shelter, Penticton tapped for B.C.-first pre-school program, UPDATE: RCMP warn about protest planners about health rules, Pathways out in the cold as IH repatriates counselling services, China sets growth target 'over 6%,' tightening HK control, Ladies of Slackwater create a huge sensation, Pro-Beijing committee to elect some Hong Kong legislators, Winnipeg visits Montreal after overtime victory, YouTube cancels Myanmar military-run channels, pulls videos, China boosts defence spending by 6.8% amid debt, pandemic. Todd Korol/The Canadian Press. “I don’t think Albertans, or the Alberta government, would tolerate the fact that there would be dozens of mines across the eastern slopes,” Nixon said. It’s a special spot that certainly deserves to be protected.”. Critics are asking for details on how the Alberta government will "optimize" the province's parks by getting other people to run them. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The Canadian Press most recently asked for information on the new deals last Monday. The revival of coal mining in Alberta has been a controversial topic in recent months, due to the Grassy Mountain project, a proposed $800-million open-pit coal mine that an Australian company wants to build in the Crowsnest Pass. Who are these partnerships with? He said the most environmentally sensitive Category 1 lands — where coal leasing, exploration and development were not previously permitted — still continue to be protected, and other areas of the eastern slopes are subject to the same land-use planning and management rules when it comes to coal that apply to all other resources and industrial uses. "The government hasn't released one clear list of who those partners are.". A list of partners has been released, but which agreements are new and which are old isn't specified, said Wark. The province said Nixon’s older brother, Minister of Environment and Parks Jason Nixon, remained in Alberta over the holidays. Talking about his early life, Jason had worked in Alberta’s oil and gas industry. Comments may take up to an hour for moderation before appearing on the site. Australian companies Atrum Coal and privately held Montem Resources, as well as a private Alberta-owned company called Cabin Ridge, also have proposed mines for the region south and north of the Crowsnest Pass. That left a potentially large number of parks still in question. An Alberta Environment and Parks ... Tiger trout are being made available to private businesses through a government licensing change encouraged by Alberta Environment and Parks minister Jason Nixon. Jason Nixon, environment and parks minister. However, conservationists fear bringing coal mining back to the area would have serious repercussions for wildlife, particularly the westslope cutthroat trout, which is listed as a threatened species by the federal and provincial governments. Jason Nixon: April 23, 2019 Incumbent Kenney: Minister of Environment and Parks New Democratic: Shannon Phillips: February 2, 2016 April 16, 2019 Notley: Ministry of Environment and Parks, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women & Minister Responsible for the Climate Change Office New Democratic: May 24, 2015 February 2, 2016 "It's hard to trust in the process when there's a significant lack of transparency," said Grace Wark of the Alberta Wilderness Association. “It would make it even less likely that other mines will be approved, because our environmental processes all undertake to take into account cumulative effects,” he said. tap here to see other videos from our team. In a Facebook post, Lund called the province’s move earlier this year to overturn 1970s-era legislation that restricted open-pit mining in parts of the Rocky Mountains and foothills short-sighted and a threat. He said it is a misconception that regulatory approval of that project would somehow pave the way for additional project approvals. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. “I’m certainly very passionate about the eastern slopes; it’s where I’ve called home for most of my adult life…. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. "Show us who the partnerships are with and what the nature of those agreements are. Unauthorized distribution, transmission or republication strictly prohibited. Category 1 lands — where coal leasing, exploration and development were not previously permitted — still continue to be protected, and other areas of the eastern slopes are subject to the same land-use planning and management rules when it comes to coal that apply to all other resources and industrial uses. As for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, his role in the massive US election fraud, was to harbor the George Soros linked criminal election rigging Dominion voting machine company and let them commit criminal activity, across the US border, which could pretty much be considered as Canada committing an act of war on American independence and democracy, along with China. But in an interview Friday, Nixon said Albertans have no need to worry that the lifting of restrictions will result in a dramatic expansion of coal mining in the province. © 2021 Calgary Herald, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. All rights reserved. This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. According to Riversdale Resources, the company behind the Grassy Mountain project, the proposed mine will incorporate industry-leading practices to manage water use, protect wildlife, minimize noise and dust and accelerate reclamation. Alberta musicians Corb Lund and Paul Brandt made headlines earlier this week when they each separately came forward to voice opposition to proposed coal mining projects in the southern part of the province. "We've had trouble all along getting answers from this government.". Alberta Environment uses several different parks management contracts. There was an error, please provide a valid email address. The project, which is currently being reviewed by a joint federal-provincial panel, has come under fire from environmentalists, ranchers and landowners in the area (though it is supported by a number of First Nations as well as the local municipality). Let us know what's going on! Critics are asking for details on how the Alberta government will "optimize" the province's parks by getting other people to run them. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Jason Nixon, environment and parks minister. The photo posted by UCP MLA Pat Rehn on Facebook Dec. 24. New Democrat environment critic Marlin Schmidt said his party has filed a freedom-of-information request in an attempt to learn more. “It’s just one component of our commitment within that plan, but a pretty big one,” said Environment and Parks Minister Jason Nixon. What will be the expectations as far as costs for camping? The next issue of Calgary Herald Headline News will soon be in your inbox. Wark points out that guidelines for parks partners were supposed to be released last May. Overall, he is a prominent and active politician. EDMONTON - The Alberta government has yet to release details on how it will "optimize" the province's parks by getting other people to run them. Critics feared the move was a prelude to reducing access or selling the land. "That's information that is really important.". "This has been the standard that's been set throughout.". We have enabled email notifications—you will now receive an email if you receive a reply to your comment, there is an update to a comment thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Nixon added the Grassy Mountain project was first proposed in 2013, long before the Alberta government made any changes to its coal policy.
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