Crownest Pass residents will vote in November on whether they approve of a new coal mine. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

November dates selected for Crowsnest Pass vote on new coal mine

Sep 18, 2024 | 11:24 AM

CROWSNEST PASS, AB – In just over two months, residents in Crowsnest Pass will get to make a major decision.

Council has set the election day for the Non-Binding Vote of the Electors to November 25, 2024.

Locals will answer the question, “Do you support the development and operations of the metallurgical coal mine at Grassy Mountain?”

Northback Holdings wants to develop a mine in the area that would produce 4.5 million tonnes of metallurgical coal per year over its 23-year lifespan.

Proponents, like Councillor Dean Ward, argue the mine would have a large positive economic impact for the community. He says the commercial and industrial tax bases in the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass is small, leaving residents to foot much of the bill.

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Others have claimed the mine would be bad for the environment, particularly in terms of drinking water quality, and cite existing bans on the development of new mines in Alberta’s Rocky Mountains.

READ MORE: New coal mine restrictions announced for Alberta

Advanced polls will be held on November 19, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Community Hall in Blairmore, formerly the Elks Hall.

Institutional voting will take place at the Peaks to Pines, Crowsnest Pass Health Centre and Tecumseh Apartments. Voting times will be announced in the coming weeks.

The general voting day will be November 25.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now

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