SNELL: Question Period Roundup for April 9 — Brian Jean takes lead, hits back on coal misinformation
Listening to the NDP during question period, one might think the United Conservative Party plans to transform Alberta’s entire Eastern Slope of the Rocky Mountains into an open-pit coal mine.
That’s far from reality — and the contested Grassy Mountain coal project — a small brownfield site near Crowsnest Pass wasn't mentioned on Wednesday.
Energy and Minerals Minister Brian Jean set the record straight during question period. He accused the NDP of fear-mongering while ignoring Alberta’s “no more mountaintop removal" mining policy. He emphasized that mountaintop removal mining is off the table.
According to insiders, that does leave room for underground mining with tailings returned below the surface — a more environmentally friendly approach to coal extraction.
In underground coal mining, according to experts, tailings typically consist of fine coal particles, rock, and other materials separated during coal processing. Instead of storing these on the surface in tailings dams or piles — which can lead to water contamination, dust pollution, and land use issues — some mining operations mix tailings with binding agents like cement or water to create a paste or slurry.
This mixture, known as cemented tailings backfill or high-density paste fill, is then pumped back underground through pipelines into mined-out areas. This approach, say experts, reduces the risk of surface tailings dam failures, which can have environmental consequences. It minimizes the footprint of waste storage on the surface, preserving land and reducing erosion or leaching into waterways.
The approach enhances structural support in the mine, potentially reducing ground sinking and seismic risks. It isn't known if a potential new coal mine in Alberta would use this approach.
Jean called out the NDP’s hypocrisy, noting their silence on massive open-pit coal mines in British Columbia’s Elk Valley, operated under an NDP government. The B.C. NDP export massive quantities of coal despite their environmental sermonizing.
Jean accused the Alberta NDP of dishonesty. Tensions flared when he turned to lecture "former unsuccessful NDP candidates" in the legislature visitors’ gallery, prompting a rebuke from Speaker Nathan Cooper.
Jean absorbed the reprimand, at one point suggesting the NDP was embarrassing itself.
The NDP, for its part, stuck to its role, wielding hyperbole and warnings, though Jean accused them of spreading misinformation.
"Let's be clear about a few things, coal mining in the Eastern Slopes has no economic net benefit," said the NDP in question period.
Jean also criticized the NDP for failing to modernize coal policies during its time in power from 2015 to 2019, at one point drawing laughter and mockery from the opposition benches.
"The truth is, no one trusts the NDP on coal, but they had their chance," said Jean.
"They blew it so bad that they actually invited billionaires from across the world to come and invest in the coal industry in Alberta — they said 'dig baby dig.'"
Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver entered the debate, saying “Do it right or don’t do it at all,” in reference to coal mining standards.
