Peter Shokeir | [email protected]
A resident has been organizing weekly demonstrations for the past two months against the UCP government鈥檚 plans to expand coal mining in the Rocky Mountains.
Organizer Ruth Remple said the demonstrations are being held weekly in order to reach visitors.
鈥淲e feel we don鈥檛 have to convince too many Jasper people. They live here for a reason. It鈥檚 more the visitors.鈥�
Last December, the province rescinded a 1976 policy last year that protected the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains.
鈥淭hey cancelled it without anyone really knowing so they could pursue new leases and in areas that were originally closed by the Peter Lougheed government,鈥� Remple said.
The public outcry against the rescission resulted in the province cancelling 11 coal leases, pausing future sales and later reinstating the policy.
Alberta has since appointed an independent committee to lead public engagement that would inform the development of a modern coal policy.
Remple said her main concerns about coal mining are the contamination of the headwaters of important rivers and the impact on the landscape.
鈥淛ust drive up to Grande Cache and have a look at the mess,鈥� she said.
鈥淭hey really destroy mountains. You can have a whole mountain. Obed Mountain was there. It鈥檚 no longer there.鈥�
The demonstrations usually consist of 10 to 12 people and have been taking place every Saturday at 4 p.m., but Remple said they are considering a different time to get more residents involved and since every day is now busy during tourist season.
Remple plans to continue organizing demonstrations until she sees the new coal policy.
Those who want to participate or get a lawn sign can contact Remple through Facebook.
