43rd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 5, 2021e-3178e-3178 (Natural resources and energy)LatashaCalf RobeHeatherMcPhersonEdmonton StrathconaNDPABFebruary 11, 2021, at 7:39 p.m. (EDT)March 13, 2021, at 7:39 p.m. (EDT)March 22, 2021May 5, 2021March 16, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="253376" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Environment and Climate Change</Addressee>Whereas:It is Canada’s duty to ensure that resource exploration and development proposals meet the highest standards of consultation and involvement with Indigenous peoples in accordance with section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the TRC 94 Calls to Action;Alberta failed its duty to consult under section 35 by rescinding the 1976 Alberta Coal Policy (the “Policy”) on June 1, 2020, without consulting First Nations on land use decisions;While Alberta’s Minister of Energy reinstated the Policy on February 8, 2021, numerous coal exploration leases remain active;Coal exploration and development on land formerly protected under the Policy threatens the environment, species at risk, water quality and infringes upon Aboriginal and Treaty rights of First Nations from Treaties 6, 7 & 8;The Impact Assessment process for the Grassy Mountain Coal Project (“Grassy”) does not take into consideration the cumulative impacts of new coal exploration activity and mine proposals in the region; andThe Joint Review Panel of the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (the “Agency”) will submit their report regarding Grassy to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change in June 2021.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Environment and Climate Change to: 1. Instruct the Agency to conduct a Regional Assessment of the impacts of all proposed coal developments and exploratory activity in Southwest Alberta on Treaty and Aboriginal rights, water quality, species at risk and the environment; and2. Delay a decision regarding Grassy until the cumulative impacts of all mining activity in the region have been adequately considered.
Response by the Minister of Environment and Climate ChangeSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable JONATHAN WILKINSONThe proposed Grassy Mountain Coal Project (the Project) is currently undergoing a rigorous environmental assessment (EA) by an independent Joint Review Panel (the Panel), which was established between the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada and the Alberta Energy Regulator in 2018. The EA is ensuring a thorough and transparent review of the Project based on science and traditional knowledge, meeting the high standards that Canadians have come to expect of a federal EA.As part of its review, the Panel is required to consider the potential direct and cumulative environmental effects of the Project including effects on water quality and quantity, and socio-economic interests. The cumulative effects assessment considers the predicted effects of the Project in combination with the potential effects from projects that have been or will be carried out as of the issuance of the Joint Review Panel’s Terms of Reference.The Panel is also considering the potential effects of the Project on the current use of lands and resources for traditional purposes, intangible cultural and spiritual values, physical and cultural heritage, and potential impacts to rights of Indigenous peoples. On behalf of the federal government, the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada is actively leading consultations on the Project with potentially affected Indigenous groups. The Government will ensure that this consultation informs the decision-making process before determining whether the Project can proceed.A public hearing for the Project began on October 27, 2020, and concluded on December 2, 2020. The public hearing provided an opportunity for the Panel to hear directly from numerous interested parties and Indigenous groups, which will help inform the EA.On January 15, 2021, the Panel closed the record of the review. The Panel is now preparing to submit its report to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change by June 18, 2021. The report will contain the Panel’s conclusions and recommendations regarding the Project. After taking into consideration the Panel’s report, the Minister will determine whether the Project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. Should the Minister decide that the Project is likely to cause significant adverse effects, a decision regarding whether those effects can be justified in the circumstances will be required by the Governor in Council.The Government is committed to a federal assessment process that is robust, based on science and Indigenous knowledge, protects our rich natural environment, respects the rights of Indigenous peoples, and supports our natural resources sector. Any future coal development projects proposed in the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains that meet the thresholds described in the Physical Activities Regulations will be subject to an impact assessment under the Impact Assessment Act (IAA). Any projects allowed to proceed would continue to be subject to all applicable provincial and federal regulations. Coal mining projects not subject to the IAA may still require assessment under provincial legislation.The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada is considering the petition a formal request for a regional assessment under subsection 97(1) of the IAA, and has commenced a review and analysis of it to inform the decision on whether or not to conduct such a regional assessment. The information contained in this petition as well as other information gathered by the Agency in its engagement on the request will be considered in making a decision on the merits of carrying out a regional assessment by June 18, 2021.  
CoalGrassy Mountain Coal ProjectMining industryRegional and strategic assessments
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledApril 12, 2021432-00550432-00550 (Natural resources and energy)GeraldSorokaYellowheadConservativeABFebruary 23, 2021April 12, 2021February 13, 2021Petition to the House of CommonsWe, the undersigned citizens of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following:Whereas, Asia is the main consumer of thermal coal of over 3 billion tons per year to generate electricity. Whereas, China will be phasing out thermal coal for electricity by 2050 to reach carbon neutral by 2060.Whereas, for the next thirty years China will be purchasing coal from many different countries with different degrees of quality, sulfur content, environmental and labour standards. Whereas, Alberta mines thermal coal with very low sulfur content with the highest environmental and labour standards in the world. This thermal coal is for export and not for domestic use. Therefore we, the undersigned, call on the House of Commons to take the following actions to address the situation: 1. Keep mining thermal coal in Alberta because it has the highest environmental and labour standards with very low sulfur content, thus giving China access to better coal to lower their environmental footprint as they eliminate thermal coal for the electrical generation.
Response by the Minister of Environment and Climate ChangeSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable JONATHAN WILKINSONCanada is launching a strategic assessment under the Impact Assessment Act to solicit feedback on policy considerations related to thermal coal mining and to consider the future of new and significantly expanded thermal coal mine projects in Canada under federal review.The strategic assessment will include, but not be limited to:
  • Environmental and health impacts of thermal coal mining and end use of thermal coal such as the impacts on air, water, wildlife, greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, and related health impacts.
  • Market analysis of projected demand for thermal coal. This will include an overview of Canada’s current and proposed thermal coal mines, an assessment of the economic importance of the thermal coal mining sector in Canada, and projections of future domestic and global demand for thermal coal mined in Canada.
  • The use of thermal coal, including the export of thermal coal and its impact on Canada’s international commitments and initiatives. This strategic assessment will consider the implications of thermal coal mining and export on Canada’s related domestic and international policies, commitments and objectives, including the Powering Past Coal Alliance.
A committee of government officials, led by Environment and Climate Change Canada in collaboration with the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada, Natural Resources Canada and Global Affairs Canada, will conduct the strategic assessment of thermal coal mining.In conducting the strategic assessment, the committee will:
  • Conduct engagement sessions with key stakeholders;
  • Engage with Indigenous groups throughout the process;
  • Provide an opportunity for the public to comment on a draft strategic assessment of thermal coal mining; and,
  • Publish a final strategic assessment of thermal coal mining.
We intend to be in a position to have that conversation with Canadians completed, hopefully by the end of this year, with the publication of a final report in 2022. 
AlbertaCoalExportsMining industry
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 22, 2021e-2912e-2912 (Natural resources and energy)RobertKetchesonElizabethMaySaanich—Gulf IslandsGreen PartyBCNovember 16, 2020, at 2:10 p.m. (EDT)January 15, 2021, at 2:10 p.m. (EDT)February 5, 2021March 22, 2021January 15, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="253376" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Environment and Climate Change</Addressee>Whereas:The proposed Grassy Mountain coal mine will destroy the upstream water quality and quantity of the Crowsnest River and upstream tributaries that flow through the proposed project;The project will remove millions of tons of overburden which will be dumped into adjacent valleys polluting watercourses including the Oldman watershed which is the source of water for hundreds of thousands of Albertans;The project will create impoundment ponds which will leach selenium in high concentrations into the surrounding environment destroying existing agricultural and recreational activities for decades;The project will destroy tourism development and quality of life in-migration; andRecent and ongoing developments of clean energy sources such as hydrogen, will soon replace thermal and metallurgical coal, negating the need for destructive coal mining projects.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Environment and Climate Change to cancel the Grassy Mountain Coal Mine application.
Response by the Minister of Environment and Climate ChangeSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable JONATHAN WILKINSONThe proposed Grassy Mountain Coal Project (the Project) is currently undergoing a rigorous environmental assessment by an independent Joint Review Panel (the Panel), which was established with the Alberta Energy Regulator in 2018. The assessment is subject to the requirements of the federal Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012, and the provincial Responsible Energy Development Act, the Coal Conservation Act, the Water Act, the Public Lands Act, and the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act. The environmental assessment is ensuring a thorough and transparent review of the Project, based on science and traditional knowledge, meeting the high standards that Canadians have come to expect in a federal environmental assessment.As part of its review, the Panel is required to consider the potential environmental impacts of the Project, including effects on water quality and quantity, air quality, and human health. The Panel is also considering the socio-economic effects of the Project, as well as the contribution of greenhouse gas emissions that are directly attributable to the Project. The Panel’s Report will present its analysis of these and other effects. It will also provide recommendations for ways to mitigate potential adverse effects related to the Project.A public hearing for the Project began on October 27, 2020, and concluded on December 2, 2020. The public hearing provided an opportunity for the Panel to hear directly from numerous interested parties and Indigenous groups, which will help inform the environmental assessment. The public hearing provided a very transparent and open opportunity for the Panel to hear directly from numerous interested parties, including those with local and regional interests that could be affected by the Project. These views will help inform the environmental assessment and the decision on whether the Project is allowed to proceed.On January 15, 2021, the Panel closed the record of the review. The Panel is now preparing to submit its report by June 18, 2021. The report will contain the Panel’s conclusions and recommendations regarding the Project. After taking into consideration the Panel’s report, the Minister must determine whether the Project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. If the Project is likely to cause significant adverse effects, a decision regarding whether those effects can be justified in the circumstances will be required by the Governor in Council.The Government of Canada is committed to a federal assessment process that is robust, based on science and Indigenous knowledge, protects our rich natural environment, respects the rights of Indigenous peoples, and supports our natural resources sector. Any future coal development projects proposed in the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains that meet the thresholds described in the Physical Activities Regulations will be subject to the new impact assessment regime under the Impact Assessment Act (the IAA). Coal mining projects not subject to the IAA may still require assessment under provincial legislation.Any projects allowed to proceed would continue to be subject to all applicable provincial and federal regulations.  
CoalEnvironmental protectionGrassy Mountain Coal ProjectMining industry