News 2022

A new video produced for the Livingstone Landowners Group, with primary funding support from a Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y) Partnership Grant, premiered on Oct. 20. Funds were also contributed by the Protect Alberta’s Rockies and Headwaters Facebook Group and Wendy Cartwright.

Country artists release song to express opposition and bring awareness to coal mining and the threat it poses to Alberta’s Rockies and its fresh water.

Supreme Court Won’t Hear Grassy Mountain Appeals

In a decision released September 29, 2022 the Supreme Court turned down requests from Benga and two First Nations for leave to appeal a decision from Alberta’s energy regulator that found the proposed Grassy Mountain coal mine in the province’s Crowsnest Pass region was not in the public interest. See Edmonton Journal article.

Coal Policy Proposal

The Livingstone Landowners Group, along with a collection of individuals and organizations representing a wide range of Albertans, are pleased to present A Coal Policy for Alberta – 2022 and Beyond. This Policy is supported by grassroots Indigenous groups, municipalities, hunters, anglers, ranchers, rural landowners, artists, businesses, conservationists, and recreationists. See recent news article here.

Coal Committee Report

On March 4, 2022 the Alberta Government released the long-awaited Coal Committee report and temporarily suspended new coal exploration and development. Restrictions will remain in place until the province updates its framework around how it manages its land and natural resources. See AER bulletin and the coal committee report.

Alberta Court of Appeal denies appeal of Grassy Mountain project

In a decision released January 28, 2022, the Alberta Court of Appeal denied applications from Benga Mining and two First Nations to appeal the regulatory decision denying the Grassy Mountain Mine.

Benga had argued that the decision contained errors of law and failed to adequately consider Benga's evidence. The Piikani and the Stoney Nakoda argued that the decision violated their constitutional rights by failing to consider the economic benefits they would receive from the mine.

The Court rejected these arguments.

In Nov 2021, the U of C School of Public Policy released an in-depth cost-benefit report of coal mining in the Eastern Slopes of the Rockies. concluding “The comparatively small economic benefits derived from a new coal mine could not possibly justify the large and possibly irreversible damage done to the environment, local communities and to the rights and interests of Indigenous Peoples.”

Running Dry -Alberta’s Shrinking Rivers

Alberta doesn’t run on oil. It runs on water. Our families, farms, businesses and communities all rely on water from rivers that rise on the Eastern Slopes of the Rocky Mountains. But that water is running low.

Please review and share this important documentary. Special thanks to the production team: Kevin Van Tighem, Yvan Lebel, Brian Van Tighem and Ashley Van Tighem.

Corb Lund collaborates with Alberta country music veterans in song against coal development in Alberta’s Rocky Mountains

On Oct. 20, 2021, Corb Lund and his colleagues released a new recording of Lund’s “This is My Prairie.”