Environmental

Economic Environmental Government Affairs 

Energy minister leans on oil industry talking points in carbon capture announcement

Posted on: Staff Writer

By Natasha Bulowski, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter At a carbon capture funding announcement, Canada’s energy minister was using rhetoric straight out of Big Oil’s playbook. On Friday, the federal government announced $21.5 million for a handful of carbon capture projects in Alberta, and while the amount isn’t going to move the needle, Energy and Natural Resource Minister Tim Hodgson’s choice of … Read more…

Economic Environmental Fort Macleod Government Affairs 

Hundreds kept out of meeting on controversial Crowsnest Pass coal mine

Posted on: Staff Writer

By Alexandra Noad, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The Premier’s Coal Town Hall event held on Wednesday evening at the Fort Macleod and District Community Hall was described as “a gong show” by many in attendance, with several being left outside, including the media. Hundreds of people lined up down the street hours before the doors opened, many of them protesting the … Read more…

Community Environmental Health & Wellbeing 

Piikani Elders hold prayer ceremony for Crowsnest Lake following fish advisory

Posted on: Staff Writer

By Somya Lohia, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Members of Piikani Nation gathered at Crowsnest Lake on the morning of June 10 to offer prayers for the health of the lake, its fish and all life that depends on its waters. This spiritual gathering followed the release of a fish-consumption advisory for the lake. According to the advisory, posted on the My … Read more…

Economic Environmental Government Affairs 

Boos, cheers and pointed questions: Emotions flare at coal town hall with Danielle Smith, ministers

Posted on: Staff Writer

By Somya Lohia, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter “You took us down!” “What about the back room deal?” Voices shouted in protest, fists pounded on chairs and anti-mining placards waved in the air at the Fort Macleod community hall as Premier Danielle Smith stepped to the podium June 11 to face sharp scrutiny over Alberta’s coal future. Dozens stood along the walls, … Read more…

Economic Environmental Government Affairs 

Coal town hall draws conflicting reactions

Posted on: Staff Writer

By Somya Lohia, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Reactions to last week’s coal town hall revealed the sharp divide that remains over coal development in southern Alberta. Dean Ward, a Municipality of Crowsnest Pass councillor who attended the meeting, said he was disappointed by what he described as a lack of respectful dialogue. “I went to the coal meeting in Fort Macleod … Read more…

Community Environmental Local News 

Granum Stormwater Management Project complete

Posted on: Staff Writer

By Rob Vogt It may look like a new park in Granum, but water and greenspace on the eastern edge of the hamlet serves a greater purpose.That facility is the Granum Storm Water Management and Flood Mitigation Project, now known as the Leavings Heritage Park, and an event celebrating its completion was held on June 11.Reeve Maryanne Sandberg of the … Read more…

Environmental Recreation 

Keep invasive mussels out

Posted on: Staff Writer

Starting June 1, Alberta is the first province in Canada to require mandatory inspections for all incoming watercraft to keep invasive mussels out. Zebra and Quagga mussels destroy ecosystems, threaten shorelines and can cause hundreds of millions in damaged infrastructure. Alberta is currently 100 per cent free of zebra mussels and quagga mussels, but reports are increasing across Canada and … Read more…