Southern Alberta Group for the Environment (SAGE), June 2021

Executive Summary:
SAGE is a leading voice for a healthy and environmentally sustainable community in Lethbridge, and honours the traditional territory of the Blackfoot / Niitsítapi Confederacy. We are indebted to the Indigenous Peoples of the Canadian Plains for the stewardship of this land: past, present and future. There is a good case for eliminating coal mining development in Alberta, including: 1) meeting international targets in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the near term; 2) protecting water quality and maintaining water flows to meet municipal needs, to meet existing industrial demands, and to sustain the integrity of aquatic and riparian habitat; and, 3) preserving opportunities for expanding tourism, as well as recreational and educational activities for Albertans. If a new Coal Policy were to be developed: 1) this policy should be integrated into Regional Plans along the Eastern Slopes and should consider the current science around water quality and cumulative effects; 2) the policy should consider competing water uses and create a fair mechanism for water allocation and transfers, including respecting interprovincial agreements for water quantity and quality; and, 3) take the time required to do a good job – that is, robust public consultation, a thorough evaluation of current science, a deeper evaluation of competing government policies and goals and, finally, meaningful consultation with Indigenous Peoples.

For the complete submission, click … here.