By Canadian Press

Environment minister restores federal assessment of Alberta coal mine

Oct 1, 2021 | 9:55 AM

Federal Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson has reinstated his decision to subject a thermal coal mine expansion in Alberta to a federal review.

Wilkinson said in July 2020 that the Vista project near Hinton would go before a joint federal-provincial environmental review.

But the Federal Court ordered that he review his decision, concluding it was made without consulting one of the First Nations that support the coal mine.  

Wilkinson announced earlier this week that he conducted that review and will stick with his initial ruling.

He says Ottawa’s involvement is justified by the size of the planned expansion and its potential threats to areas of federal jurisdiction such as waterways and species at risk.

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Wilkinson also says the expansion would affect the treaty rights of other First Nations who oppose the project.  

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 1, 2021

The Canadian Press