Despite the detailed analysis conducted in accordance with the federal government’s Impact Assessment Act, the decision appears to be a purely political one. It is a decision in which the minister ignores the Impact Assessment Agency’s expert advice that concluded the project did not trigger a federal review. It is a decision that mocks the ability and legal rights of Alberta, or any other province in the same situation, to effectively manage and regulate their own natural resource development. It is a decision that sends investors running because the regulatory process is politicized at the discretion of the minister.
In reality, coal mines, and any resource development project in Canada for that matter, are subject to some of the strictest regulations anywhere in the world. The notion that Alberta’s Eastern Slopes are now wide open for coal mining by anyone with money or a shovel is absurd. There are environmental approval processes, land-use policies, integrated resource plans, Aboriginal consultation requirements, full reclamation bonding with end-use plans and dozens of other processes and considerations in place before a company can even think about starting construction of a mine.
It is also critical to understand the socioeconomic contributions of coal mining. A coal mine provides hundreds of direct jobs in rural communities, often where they are needed most. Vista Mine has over 300 full-time employees, many of whom are First Nations and women. The underground mine project, which is located within the currently permitted Phase 1 area, and Phase II Expansion would add an additional 370 full-time jobs and bring the total infrastructure investment to over $1.1 billion, of which nearly 70 per cent is spent with Canadian companies. This investment, in addition to the $200 million in annual expenditures to Vista’s partners and the hundreds of indirect jobs down the supply chain with equipment manufacturers, rail and export terminals cannot be overlooked, especially as we band together to boost our economy in the face of the damage done by COVID-19.
As someone who has split their career between coal mining and public office, I know that we have the ability to responsibly develop our coal resources while protecting the environment and providing thousands of direct and indirect jobs across our great country. I certainly hope that Canadians add their voice to the government of Canada’s upcoming Strategic Assessment of Thermal Coal Mining this fall and ensure the continuation of this critical industry.
Robin Campbell is president of the Coal Association of Canada.
FREDERICTON – A look at David Coon, leader of the Green Party of New Brunswick:
Born: Oct. 28, 1956.
Early years: Born in Toronto and raised in Montreal, he spent about three decades as an environmental advocate.
Education: A trained biologist, he graduated with a bachelor of science from McGill University in Montreal in 1978.
Family: He and his wife Janice Harvey have two daughters, Caroline and Laura.
Before politics: Worked as an environmental educator, organizer, activist and manager for 33 years, mainly with the Conservation Council of New Brunswick.
Politics: Joined the Green Party of Canada in May 2006 and was elected leader of the New Brunswick Green Party in September 2012. Won a seat in the legislature in 2014 — a first for the province’s Greens.
Quote: “It was despicable. He’s clearly decided to take the low road in this campaign, to adopt some Trump-lite fearmongering.” — David Coon on Sept. 12, 2024, reacting to Blaine Higgs’s claim that the federal government had decided to send 4,600 asylum seekers to New Brunswick.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2024.
FREDERICTON – A look at Blaine Higgs, leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick.
Born: March 1, 1954.
Early years: The son of a customs officer, he grew up in Forest City, N.B., near the Canada-U.S. border.
Education: Graduated from the University of New Brunswick with a degree in mechanical engineering in 1977.
Family: Married his high-school sweetheart, Marcia, and settled in Saint John, N.B., where they had four daughters: Lindsey, Laura, Sarah and Rachel.
Before politics: Hired by Irving Oil a week after he graduated from university and was eventually promoted to director of distribution. Worked for 33 years at the company.
Politics: Elected to the legislature in 2010 and later served as finance minister under former Progressive Conservative Premier David Alward. Elected Tory leader in 2016 and has been premier since 2018.
Quote: “I’ve always felt parents should play the main role in raising children. No one is denying gender diversity is real. But we need to figure out how to manage it.” — Blaine Higgs in a year-end interview in 2023, explaining changes to school policies about gender identity.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2024.
OTTAWA – The pressing issues of climate change and food security join more familiar ones like violent extremism and espionage on a new list of Canada’s intelligence priorities.
The federal government says publishing the list of priorities for the first time is an important step toward greater transparency.
The government revises the priorities every two years, based on recommendations from the national security adviser and the intelligence community.
Once the priorities are reviewed and approved by the federal cabinet, key ministers issue directives to federal agencies that produce intelligence.
Among the priorities are the security of global health, food, water and biodiversity, as well as the issues of climate change and global sustainability.
The new list also includes foreign interference and malign influence, cyberthreats, infrastructure security, Arctic sovereignty, border integrity and transnational organized crime.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2024.
