NDP Critic for Environment & Parks Marlin Schmidt issued the following statement in response to the UCP’s announcement on Coal Consultations:

“Over the last few months Minister Sonya Savage has made it clear that the UCP wants to expand coal mining in Alberta’s Eastern Slopes. But Albertans have made it clear they do not want this.

“Albertans want real consultation. The UCP ignored that today. Minister Savage appointed yet another panel and launched a three-week online survey that clearly points towards the outcome the government wants, which is coal mining in Alberta’s most beautiful landscapes and important watersheds. There are no questions in the survey about water quality and water quantity, and that raises questions about whether these topics will be in the scope of the consultation.

“If the UCP were sincere about their desire to consult with Albertans, they would have halted all coal exploration activities, or started this process last year when they rescinded the 1976 Lougheed Coal Policy to begin with.”