Raging Grannies holding Water Not Coal rally in Lethbridge

“The Government of Alberta shall prohibit through legislation all coal exploration and mining activities within the Eastern Slopes of Alberta’s Rocky Mountains, other than mines that are in actual production as of January 1, 2026. For clarity, this prohibition includes Northback Holdings’ Grassy Mountain Project and Valory Resources’ Blackstone Project as well as any projects to expand any producing mines.”

Rina Blacklaws, vice president of business development for the Coal Association of Canada, says projects like Grassy Mountains and Blackstone can’t proceed without various consultations and hearings with local, Indigenous, and provincial stakeholders and that the petition could leave the projects up to the court of public opinion.

“As opposed to the Technical Expert Review panel at the Alberta Energy Regulator,” Blacklaws says. “That can put our province at a disadvantage in attracting private sector investment and realizing the economic and community benefits that come with critical mineral development.”

Blacklaws says it’s important to remember that the mining projects would be for metallurgical coal to make steel and that modern mining operations have greatly improved from where they were 100 years ago or even 20 years.

“We’ve made great strides in technology and mitigation measures, as well as mine planning,” she says. “We can make sure that this is done to meet the incredibly stringent regulations that we have here in Alberta.”

Phillips says the rally is open to anyone interested in attending.

“There’s many signs around Alberta that say Protect Our Water, Save the Grassy Mountains,” she says. “So, you can be original and build your own, or you can bring purchased signs. We want to get the word out how important water is to Albertans.”

The rally is happening on the sidewalks of 13 Street North and 18 Avenue North Friday from noon to 1:00 p.m.

It’s one of several street rallies Lethbridge Raging Grannies will be holding throughout April.

by Nathaniel Leigh

Raging Grannies holding Water Not Coal rally in Lethbridge

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