Editor:
The magnitude of Kenney's roll-backs, cutting red tape, lessening of regulations and restrictions seems to show little heed for the reasons they existed in the first place.
In June, Kenney "rolled back" decades-old restrictions on open-pit coal mining.
This latest example opens the door for an Australian billionaire's company - Hancock Prospecting Pty., and their subsidiaries who want to develop a massive open-pit coal mine in the Crowsnest Pass, spanning 2,800 hectares.
To "jump-start the economy" Kenney shows no regard for significant environmental concerns. In B.C. there has been ongoing leaching of selenium into rivers, damaging fish and contaminating drinking water.
Alberta landowners are also worried about habitat destruction and contaminated water that may destroy crops. It's going to destroy southern Alberta.
One of Kenney's last big attempts to "jump-start the economy" was throwing money at the Keystone pipeline, a project stalled by multiple court injunctions in the U.S. and which may never be completed.
Meanwhile, as other Australian coal companies are lining up, Hancock has been pouring money into the community hoping to butter them up and reduce the opposition. Miners are of course behind the relaxation of environment protection.
This contentious issue also brings up moral and ethical concerns as well. As Canada has committed to a goal of eliminating coal-fired power, ergo coal mines, by 2030. Why has Alberta got its back up?
If we won't use this coal, why is it OK to ship it off Asian markets?
This irks of what the U.S. did with toxic pesticides in the 70s when they banned their use at home. This did not stop the manufacturing of them, they just shipped them off to developing countries.
When does this just stop being OK?
Marilyn Foxford,
Canmore
