Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society
Coal Mining in Alberta's Eastern Slopes and Beyond
Take Action on Coal | Information & Resources | Updates & News
Updated March 15, 2022
Latest Update: Government announces expanded coal restrictions, releases Coal Policy Committee reports
On March 4, 2022, the Government of Alberta announced restrictions on coal development in the Eastern Slopes of the Rockies. The restrictions on new development will be in place until directions on coal activities are incorporated into updated regional land-use plans.
The Goverment also released the final reports of the Coal Policy Committee. Concerns with the environmental impacts of coal mining ranked among the most important issues to Albertans.
- News Release Getting it right on coal in Alberta (Government of Alberta)
- Reports Final report : recommendations for the management of coal resources in Alberta (Coal Policy Committee)
- Reports Engaging Albertans about coal (Coal Policy Committee)
Environmental groups welcomed the restrictions on new development, but concerns remained over the impacts of existing coal mining activities and the 4 advanced projects that were allowed to continue the regulatory process.
- Coal Exploration and Mining on the Eastern Slopes – Is there an end in sight? (Alberta Wilderness Association)
- Government of Alberta’s new plan provides temporary relief from the risk of coal (CPAWS Northern & Southern Alberta)
- What has (and hasn’t) changed for coal mining in Alberta (The Narwhal)
- Alberta keeps decades-old coal policy in place, 4 advanced projects to continue regulatory process (CBC News)
- Alberta to extend pause on Rocky Mountain coal mines (Global News/The Canadian Press)
Defend Alberta Parks: What to Expect in 2022
In December 2020, the Alberta government announced the “Optimizing Alberta Parks” plan was not going ahead. Thousands of people from across Alberta spoke up against the proposal to close or delist parks. Read More
Film Screening — Mothers of the Mountain: Reclaiming the Klinse-Za Herd
Join CPAWS Northern Alberta for a screening of 'Mothers of the Mountains' a documentary about conservation, art, caribou, and the connection we have to the natural world.
Learn more about the film at Mothers of Mountains
New CPAWS report reveals proposed logging will have direct impacts on caribou and trout habitat in old-growth forest near Willmore Wilderness Park
Edmonton, AB – A new CPAWS report reveals stark impacts on species at risk habitat for proposed logging in an intact piece of forest near Grande Cache, Alta. CPAWS Northern Alberta became aware of plans by West Fraser (Hinton) to log roughly 2,660 hectares of timber in the A La Peche caribou range when local trappers flagged concerns over the impacts on threatened woodland caribou and endangered Athabasca rainbow trout. Read More
CPAWS Southern Alberta 2021 Annual General Meeting
The 2021 CPAWS Southern Alberta Annual General Meeting will be held by video conference (zoom) on Thursday, September 30, at 8:00 p.m. Mountain Time.