www.crowsnestpassherald.ca • 403-562-2248 •passherald@shaw.ca
July 21, 2021 ~ Vol. 91
No. 29
$1.00
Crowsnest Pass
Herald Serving the CnP SinCe 1930
ue: s s i s i h t e en & Insid
p val o s r esti o o D ge f 9 ta pages 8 & i r e H
Cornucopia of Corvettes
Lisa Sygutek photo
The Rocky Mountain Corvette Cruise club recently held a five day cruise event. The cruise started from Okotoks on July 19 spreading over five days allowing the drivers time for stoppage and breaks with a final destination of Revelstoke. The group of 35 cars spread out over the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre parking lot, visiting the site as one of their prescribed breaks.
Foothills South Ltd.
Honest, experienced approach to Real Estate.
2 – CRowsnest PAss HeRALD – Wednesday, July 21, 2021
Crowsnest PAss Council votes to rezone Dairy Road
rAtePAyers AssoCiAtion General MeetinG Election of Officers
Wednesday, July 21st • 7 pm Hillcrest Miners Club EvEryonE WELCoME
DaviD SelleS Pass Herald Reporter
Council has voted in favour of rezoning Dairy Road Park following two meetings of public hearings. Many residents came out to speak in favour or against the proposed rezoning over the two separate meetings. Council originally targeted this location for a transition to residential based on the Municipal De-
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velopment Plan. The MDP identifies Dairy Road Park for transition to higher density residential development. The proposed bylaw 1078, 2021, implements the Municipal Development Plan direction. Subsequent to rezoning, a developer would have to apply for a development permit. Townhouses are named as a discretionary use under Residential R-3 zoning. A development permit application would include details about the proposed site plan, the number of townhouses being proposed, setbacks, landscaping, and parking, among other considerations. A development permit application for townhouses or any multi-family residential development (except an apartment building not exceeding three storeys) would be considered by the Municipal Planning Commission, and may be approved or denied. During the public hearing, residents had their chance to say whether they were for or against this bylaw. Local resident Matt Perry stated that he is against this bylaw for multiple reasons, one being the history of the location. "This green space has had multiple lives but it's always been a place this community could gather, whether it was a ball diamond, tennis courts or open space. Through this process, I'm grateful to have learned more of its history and what this park means to our neighbours. It's more than just a vacant piece of grass. It holds 100 years of memories for people who grew up here, watched their kids play there and hold a vision for it to continue to be a community gathering place." Perry also says he’s against the rezoning because of the location. "This green space is a unique location. It blends the natural area and drops right into the community. I've watched little league games and fly fishing clinics, my wife and I have gotten to know our neighbours as we throw a ball for our dog and we've seen kids take their training wheels off after learning how to bike in the field." Perry also stated he was present at the meeting on behalf of 130 people who signed a petition opposing the loss of the green
space. Another resident who spoke against the bylaw was Ian Crawford. Crawford first briefly spoke as President of the Bellecrest Association, saying the Association is against the bylaw. Crawford then went on to personal reasons he is against the bylaw. "The Municipal Planning Commission wrote a letter of support and I looked at that letter. It's quite interesting. It says that it recommends facilitating the development of low cost multi-family housing over a loss of recreation space. It says it's worthwhile if that's the case. Is this low cost multi-family housing? That's my question. The working poor that we really need to address here in this community are not the customers for these houses. What these working poor people need is rental index to income near amenities. I'm quite familiar with many of these families. Many don't have transportation. We don't have public transportation to speak of really so they need to live in Blairmore. That's their only rental housing choice because they can walk to all the amenities. Bellevue doesn't have any of those amenities to speak of for those people." Crawford also spoke saying he doesn’t believe there is a way to ensure the families who need these homes will secure them. "How many of these homes are going to become rental stock? Zero, I'd imagine. How many of them would be guaranteed to people here that need them? Near zero, I'd imagine. It will be people with money who would buy one. It means people that you're trying to address, the people you are speaking about that you are trying to help with this project, are not going to be helped by it." Many other residents echoed similar concerns as Perry and Crawford. Other residents also touched on how the overall loss of the green space would impact their family negatively by needing to travel further for their children to have places to run free. Another concern brought forward was the concern of wildlife at other parks surrounding Bellevue compared to Dairy Road Park. One person who spoke in favour of the proposed
change was General Manager for Ashcroft Homes, Dave Bodell. Bodell spoke on what people he sees living in these homes. "I've lived in Lethbridge my entire life and I grew up camping with my parents in a tent trailer. We loved it here. We spent as much time as we could in the Crowsnest Pass. I have raised a family of three children and we've spent a lot of time in the Pass and hiked a lot of the mountains here. The stage of life that I'm at right now, I have an opportunity to offer opportunity to my son for instance who happens to be living in my house right now and who is responsible for the construction of our Ashcroft homes. We love your community. I have a lot of friends in Lethbridge that have had to sell their places to help get them across the line because they can't go there anymore. Covid changed the way we're all living. They're looking for areas to be able to bring their families to where they can enjoy the mountains and enjoy the parks and enjoy the recreation that exists here. I have a number of friends who would love to retire out here but they're not in a position to have a second home. They're not in a position to have a large home but they're in a position to have something that's affordable. I believe that a lot of these homes that you're talking about will not just be young families. It will be people that will retire here. They'll want the quiet and they want the things that you all have spoken about this evening." Following the public hearing, Council then entered into discussion and relayed the reasoning behind their thinking to everyone in attendance. Councillor Filipuzzi says part of the reason for his choice to support this rezoning is that he represents all of the Crowsnest Pass and not just the people of Bellevue so he has to do what’s needed for the entire community. “"We try to come together as a community. When I sit here today and I have to make this decision, I have to make this decision what's in the best interest of this community. Not Bellevue, Hillcrest, Coleman or Blairmore. The Crowsnest Pass. I was elected to represent the people of the Crowsnest Pass." Cont’d on page 10
Wednesday, July 21, 2021 - Crowsnest PAss herAlD - 3
In the lIne of fIre Between July 12 and July 19, Crowsnest Pass RCMP responded to a total of 30 calls for service including the following reported incidents.
Hacked On July 15th, 2021, complaint of a computer hacked by company claiming to be Microsoft. A credit card was
~ rCMP news ~
bridge area were intoxicated. No charges are pending at this time. On July 19th, 2021, a complaint of an assault at a residence east of Belle-
Assaults - 2 Fraud / Forgery - 1 Threats/Harassment- 2 Other Criminal Code - 2 Other Provincial Statute 2 Driving Complaints - 9 Motor Vehicle Collisions -1 Assistance to General Public - 4 Suspicious Occurrence - 1 Assist other agencies – 2 Municipal bylaws - 1 Lost/Found - 3 Assaults On July 14th, 2021, a complaint of an assault on an older male in an open area west of Coleman. A 43 year old male was located and arrested and charged with assault. He was released on documents with conditions for Pincher Creek Court.
charged and refused to be refunded. The bank was contacted and cancelled the credit card. Assaults On July 18th, 2021, a complaint of an assault on the side of highway 3 east of Bellevue. Police attended and determined it was a consentual fight. All parties from Leth-
vue. Police attended. The suspect had left the residence and was later located , arrested and charged with assault. He was released on documents with conditions for Pincher Creek Court. REMINDER to residents and owners of PETS, do NOT leave your pet in vehicles in the ex-
The Simple Raven’s Post by Avner Perl
Alberta’s future in a crystal ball A hundred and twenty years ago Alberta was the promised land and a new Canada was investing to develop it. There was farmland, ranch land, minerals, and coal. The only problem was getting people to move here. Train lines were built, and governments and churches got together in an effort to bring people who are tough enough to survive and build a province. When I first saw Alberta it was a dreamland or heaven on earth. Farms and ranches dotted fertile fields, little coal mining towns with churches, and cities with industries and services. The population was comprised of a lot of optimistic people who enjoyed life and were looking forward to an even better future. During the Lougheed years, we built universities and hospitals, new infrastructure appeared everywhere and rural Alberta was booming. People from everywhere were waiting in line to move here, and in 1988 Alberta became a world-famous destination. Sadly, later on, the leadership changed, and we focused the Alberta economy on oil alone, letting all else recede and decline. Foreign interests moved in, intending to make quick money and ignoring the well-being of the province and its people. Imagine Alberta without the rural population. Miles and miles of export-grade farm commodities undisturbed by farms, villages, hamlets, towns, and small cities. Some areas are fully devoted to mining and others systematically stripped of forests. Seasonal workers in camps using large machines to harvest and mine, supply cheap labour, and are sent back to their home countries when the work is done. No need for schools, hospitals, and other infrastructure, only what is needed to make profits remains. Alberta without rural communities wouldn’t have to worry about how rural people vote or about what will happen to older farmers when their working life is done. No school buses on the roads, few restaurants or religious communities, and no call for services. The whole rich province could be run from a central location in the most efficient way with one aim; make most money for the investors who financed the venture. The cities would have the human resources but competition for jobs would eliminate the need to pay high wages or provide incentives other than pay. People would work and fly to other places to live, as they do now in Fort McMurray. Without the rural population, the cities would not need to serve so many people and would be focused on profit-making from the sales of resources. No need for the
treme heat, it could be extremely fatal to your pet. Reminder to property owners to lock your doors and vehicles . also mark your belongings and record serial numbers of tools and other important items. Reminder to residents of computer scams, credit cards scams, Grandparent scams, Revenue Canada scams asking for money or cash cards and saying warrants out for arrest, do not give out personal information to persons you don't know. DO NOT OPEN EMAILS if you are suspicious of its origin. do NOT purchase gift cards for payment to Revenue Canada. Do not send monies to person claiming you have won a prize and need to send money for delivery. CrimeStopppers Tips 1-800-222-8477
DiD you know? You can survive in space without a suit.
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RCMP and no call for art. Only efficiency and austerity. How would one go about creating such a utopian business? It could be easier than expected. Alberta is rich in resources and extracting or profiting from them is now no longer very labour intensive. Those who wish to cash in have a problem with large rural communities demanding services, having environmental concerns, and influencing politics away from easy profit-making. What would be an easy way to speed up the slow trickle of people moving away from the country? A solution is obvious. Life in the country could be made less attractive or even impossible. Corporations can use a sizeable amount of money to elect governments more loyal to revenues and less to the voting public. A government devoted to austerity will naturally lean towards spending less where the population is not dense. Avoid developing labour-intensive industries in rural communities. Discourage health care professionals from serving in the countryside by removing incentives and reducing pay. Close hospitals and other medical facilities. Reduce the quality of education so the young generation will look for opportunities in cities. Reduce the number of teachers and support staff. Short change Seniors care or not support places for them to live. Reduce government services forcing people to go further for their needs. Reduce the quality of policing by forcing small communities to pay for it and offering cheaper less qualified options. Welcome temporary workers from poor countries at peak seasons and send them back at slow times. We had regulations that enhanced life in rural places and governments can remove them. Next, a government can remember the empire’s motto of divide and rule. A simple change in regulations can divide the rural population and set them up against each other. Remove a rule that protected water for farms and wave a couple of hundred short-lived jobs in front of declining towns folks and you have them fighting each other. Farmers can’t give up fresh water and mines can promise to keep the water clean “if possible” knowing that it’s not. After all, they will be long gone when the problems they caused will show up. Just like cleaning “Orphaned wells” the socialist solution of “the public will pay” will be the only one. I saw on the news a woman on the floor of emergency in a hospital (In Ontario) where all the beds were taken. She died shortly after. I don’t want this to happen here in rural Alberta, but it will if we don’t fight for our rights now while we can. I am afraid government policies or removal of such could end the way of life we enjoyed for over a hundred years. We built the province and we want to keep it for ourselves, not for “international corporations” that come and go. People around me are confused, thinking that fighting for freedom means fighting not to wear masks. I wish it was that easy. The actual fight is the fight for our way of life. We look across the border and see millions of bankruptcies related to medical expenses. People working eighty hours a week to keep food on the table. We drive through barren lands viewing poor farms and see cities crumbling back to the ground. The people can’t trust their electoral system and many of them envy our way of life. What we have in Alberta is worth fighting for. Here is a link to my blog: https://thesimpleravenspost.blogspot.ca/ Feel free to check other articles and comment.
4 – crowsnest PAss HerALD – Wednesday, July 21, 2021
Wednesday, July 21, 2021 - Crowsnest PAss HerALD - 5
Crowsnest Pass Municipal Council briefs and news DaviD SelleS Pass Herald Reporter
The following topics were discussed at the Regular Council Meeting on Tuesday, July 13th. Budget 2022 Calendar and Development Guidelines Budget 2022, along with a forecast for 2023 and 2024, will provide a foundation for the Municipality to meet public service and infrastructure needs of the residents. In addition, the budget guidelines will provide information to residents and other interested parties in learning about Council's thought process
in developing the Municipality's annual budget. It is also the time for Council to identify new initiatives they would like brought forward as part of the draft budget. These initiatives could be a change in an existing service level, staffing, or something completely new. By Council identifying these initiatives upfront, it gives Administration time to explore costing and implementation prior to presenting the draft budget. To ensure budgets are completed in a consistent and timely basis, best practice is to establish a
written process to ensure coordination of the budget process. The first step in the process is the development and communication of the guidelines to be used in the preparation of the budgets. Each year Administration prepares the Guidelines and Calendar with key dates for Council's review and approval. Once the Guidelines and Calendar are approved, Administration will begin building the budgets and notifying the various groups of the timelines for presentations. Once approved, the proposed budget development guidelines and calendar
will help to ensure the budget is prepared in a manner that is consistent with Council's direction. The guidelines are necessary to ensure everyone involved in developing the budget, especially Administration knows what is expected, thereby minimizing misunderstanding and extra work. The goal is to have Budget 2022 along with 2023 and 2024 projections approved by December 14, 2021. During discussion, Councillor Ward said he'd like to see this process advertised this year. "I'm good with the schedule but I'd like to
make sure we advertise it. It would be nice this year to see some of our residents come out and enjoy the budget process with us." Councillor Ward then made a motion to proceed with the schedule presented by Administration for budget deliberations. That motion was carried. Councillor Glavin then made a motion that Council accept Administration's 2022 Budget Development Guidelines. That motion was carried. Outdoor Recreation Levies During the June 1st
meeting, Council made a motion to have Administration look into the fees charged for outdoor recreation in other communities. Administration contacted 5 mountain communities for information. The communities of Fernie, Sparwood, Elkford, Banff, and Canmore were contacted and Administration asked the following questions: Does your community charge fees for any public trail systems within your community? Does your community charge fees for any bike trail systems within your community? Do you know of trail systems outside your administration's control that are charged to use trails? If you do charge for trail systems how are fees collected and the process of collection and enforcement to ensure fees are paid? The following responses were received: Elkford, Sparwood, Fernie, Banff and Canmore do not have a fee for any public trail system. Elkford, Sparwood, Fernie, Banff and Canmore do not have a fee for any public bike trail system. Elkford, Fernie and Sparwood all have trail alliance groups that charge for trail usage outside their community's control. Only Banff has 4 kilometers of trail around the townsite. The remainder of the trail is Alberta Parks and a park pass is charged. The Town of Canmore has a residential street-parking fee for an area near Quarry Lake. This is to alleviate spillover from non-residents who park in and around certain streets close to Quarry Lake. Each homeowner receives 1 permit for 1 vehicle to park in this area. This is registered to the license plate. Additional permits for vehicles have an additional charge to residences within this area. Canmore does have street parking fees ranging from $1 to $2 per hour in select locations downtown for the summer season. Banff is going to try a $3 per hour street parking fee for 2021 downtown. All other areas and parking lots are free. Elkford, Fernie, Sparwood, Banff and Canmore do not charge for trail usage. The Alberta government does charge park passes for use of all parks and provincial trail systems. Councillor Ward made a motion to accept this report for information. The motion was carried.
6 – crowsnest PAss HerALD – Wednesday, July 21, 2021
Editorial
This week I am allowing a guest editorial. When I received this submission I was impressed with the quality of the work and the answer to many of the questions posed by those against coal mining in Alberta. This is an interesting breakdown of perspective and feel that this warrants its own space on the editorial page. Letters to the Editor are on page 10. Mythbusting
Assertion
Category
Reality
Source Source
“Coal is a Sunset Industry”
Distortion (Thermal Coal)
globally, to help addr address Thermal Coal is being phased out globally, ess climate change. There are There ar e less carbon intensive ways to Fired power. Alberta is on the way to phase out Coal Fir generate power. ed Electrical Generation by 2023 (Ahead of the 2030 Deadline). This also makes economic sense. Coal Based generation is mor e expensive than several alter natives available today more alternatives
https://www.alberta.ca/climate-coal-electricity.aspx Government nment of Alberta https://www .alberta.ca/climate-coal-electricity.aspx .alberta.ca/climate-coal-electricity .aspx Gover
“Ther “There e is not a stable market, demand will collapse”
Uninformed
Global Steel demand has tripled in the last 50 years. It is grow by 5.8% in 2021 alone. With the growth growth in expected to grow the middle class of countries like China and India - this will not change any time soon
World W orld Economic Forum https://www https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/06/global.weforum.org/agenda/2021/06/global.weforum.or g/agenda/2021/06/globalsteel-pr oduction/ steel-production/
“We “W e need to phase out Coal due to climate change”
True, T rue, but somewhat naive It is absolutely true that as a society we need to do this, but it is Gover Government nment of Canada - Coal Facts - https://www https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/science-and.nrcan.gc.ca/science-anddata/data-and-analysis/ener gy-data-and-analysis/energy-facts/coal-facts/ gy-data-and-analysis/ener gy-facts/coal-facts/ extremely metallurgical gical coal in data/data-and-analysis/energy-data-and-analysis/energy-facts/coal-facts/ extremely naive to think if we stop mining metallur Canada that this will make a di!erence. erence. The market demand 20071 di!er will be satisfied ed by others, with the potential the sour source ce may be even less responsible. responsible. This will only damage the Canadian economy, economy, with no change to the outcome
won’t be needed “Coal won’t much longer to make Steel Hydrogen is her here” - Hydrogen e”
Premature Premature
promise, but it is still in early stages. It is This technology holds promise, costly.. Better methods to generate lar costly large ge amounts of “Gr “Green een Hydrogen Hydrogen” is required, required, Most Hydr Hydrogen” ogen Generation today is from fr om Natural Gas - with 2.8% Reduction of Carbon Emissions (This is not the step change we need) In addition to the economics large Hydrogen ogen production production - ther there e is a large scale Green Green Hydr large lar ge global investment in Steel Pr Production oduction infrastructur infrastructure e that Current required. Curr forecasts still expect would be required. ent moderate forecasts 50% of steel production production in 2050 still utilizing metallurgical metallurgical coal. However,, disruption and br However breakthroughs eakthroughs do happen.
Inter national Ener Energy https://www.rechargenews.com/transition/ .rechargenews.com/transition/ International gy Agency - https://www gr een-hydrogen-will-play-a-minor-role-in-reducing-steel-industry-emissionsgreen-hydrogen-will-play-a-minor-role-in-reducing-steel-industry-emissionssays-iea/2-1-890040
“There “There is no technology to treat treat Selenium”
Outdated
Human History is full of cases wher where e a substance has been in common use, until it was rrealized ealized that ther there e wer were e harmful side ects (Examples: 2-4-D, Thalidomide, DDT e!ects DDT,, Asbestos, Lead ens toys, CFCs, BPA, BPA, Teflon, T Te eflon, Leaded Gasoline, paint on Childr Childrens Acid Rain - just to name a few) Fortunately humans do on occasion rrecognize ecognize these thr eats, although sometimes not threats, e harm has been done. Thankfully when the thr befor threat eat is before natives. It is no di !erent for rrecognized ecognized rresearch esearch leads to alter alternatives. di!erent Valley for over Selenium. Mining has been conducted in the Elk Valley 100 years. It was not until the 2000’ 2000’ss that this was fully ess the issue was initiated, research to addr understood and research address which is now scaling up hugely. hugely. Ther e ar e also several There are companies o! ering commercial commercial solutions to address address this need. o!ering
http://westerncoalsociety.ca/uploads/3/4/8/6/34864204/ http://wester ncoalsociety.ca/uploads/3/4/8/6/34864204/ martin_stockwell_coalsmart_feb21_2018.pdf (Coalsmart 2018)
Treatment o! Tr o!erings: ChemTreat, ChemTr o Commercial Commer cial Selenium Treatment erings: ChemTreat, Satlworks, Envir Envirogen, ogen, Suez W Water ater Technologies Technologies - Just to name a few few,, mor more e companies ar are e coming to the market everyday as research research and development is proceeding proceeding
https://open.alberta.ca/dataset/456eee9c-86d5-46e6-bc2e-e605c6599eba/ resource/b96ac61e-78db-4b2c-b0d5-40d9c0bf772e/download/ resource/b96ac61e-78db-4b2c-b0d5-40d9c0bf772e/download/ 3877073-2006-evaluation-treatment-options-reduce-water-borne3877073-2006-evaluation-tr eatment-options-reduce-water-borne(Government selenium.pdf (Gover nment of Alberta)
https://bc-mlard.ca/files/presentations/2019-23-KLEIN-ETAL-removinghttps://bc-mlar d.ca/fifiles/presentations/2019-23-KLEIN-ET d.ca/ esentations/2019-23-KLEIN-ETAL-r AL-removingselenium-nitrate-saturatedselenium-nitrate-saturated-fill.pdf (BC MEND ML/ARD 2020) 2020)"" https://brimm.ubc.ca/blog/2021/01/11/novel-selenium-removal-methodhttps://brimm.ubc.ca/blog/2021/01/11/novel-selenium-r emoval-methodResearch developed-for -mine-waste-water/ (Bradshaw Resear ch Initiative for Minerals developed-for-mine-waste-water/ and Mining)
https://brimm.ubc.ca/pr https://brimm.ubc.ca/projects/selenium-treatment-in-mine-tailings/ ojects/selenium-treatment-in-mine-tailings/ (BRIMM)
Assertion
Category
Reality
“This project project will poison the Oldman with Selenium and put at risk agriculture agriculture and residents residents of the watershed”
Sensationalist
Selenium is present https://www.lethbridge.ca/living-here/water-wastewater/Pages/Waterhttps://www .lethbridge.ca/living-here/water-wastewater/Pages/Waterpresent in the Oldman River today. today. In mining, Selenium leaches out of disturbed waste rock rock exposed to air Quality-Summary.aspx Water ater Quality) Quality-Summary .aspx (City of Lethbridge - W and water. water. Other sour sources ces of Selenium include soils, disturbed ock (Landslides) Feedlots, Sewage Plants, Coal or exposed rrock neries, The EPA EPA has set a rrevised Fired evised Fir ed Power Plants, Oil Refineries, Refineries, Lethbridge’s s drinking Maximum limit of 0.8 ug/L for Koocanusa. Lethbridge’ currently water curr ently varies between 0.3 ug/L to 0.9 ug/L. With e!ective treatment, e! ective water tr eatment, rreleased eleased mine water would not be as current high as the curr ent levels of Selenium in the Oldman River. River.
“This project project will cause the T rout” collapse of Cuthroat Cuthroat Tr Trout”
n, but Selenium Of concer concern, is not the only thr threat eat impacting the fishery
Selenium bioaccumulates in aquatic organisms organisms and causes https://keepcanadafishing.com/albertahttps://keepcanadafishing.com/alberta-fish-stressed-out-by-hot-weatherhttps://keepcanada shing.com/alberta-fish-stressed-out-by-hot-weatherns-province/ (Gover .alberta.ca/westsloperreproductive eproductive issues at elevated levels. However other stressors stressors war warns-province/ (Government nment of Alberta) https://www https://www.alberta.ca/westslopeof aquatic life ar e pr esent as well, and cannot be discounted. are present cutthroat-trout-fsi.aspx cutthr oat-trout-fsi.aspx High water temperatur es, low water levels, Sport fishing temperatures, pr essure and invasive species also having an e pressure e!ect. Parasites causing Whirling Disease ar e also having an adverse e are e!ect on fisheries.
Source ce Sour
1
“The Selenium levels will be Sensationalist harmful to our livestock”
Daily intakes of gr eater than 0.25 milligrams selenium per greater eater than 10mg Se/kg or a kilogram, a single oral dose of gr greater e single injection of gr eater than 1.2mg Se/kg bodyweight ar greater are toxic for cattle (For a 720kg Cow - this would rrequire equire her to consume 20,000 L of water a day with the maximum levels currently curr ently in the Oldman River)
https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/feeding-nutrition/selenium-deficiency-cattle? https://www .agric.wa.gov.au/feeding-nutrition/selenium-deficiency-cattle? .au/feeding-nutrition/selenium-de nopaging=1 (Australian Department of Agricultur e) Importance of Selenium in Agriculture) Cattle Diets
“Selenium will be harmful to Sensationalist crops” cr ops”
micronutrient and has been Selenium (Se) is an essential plant micronutrient repeatedly shown to enhance crop crop gr owth and cr op tolerance repeatedly growth crop stresses when applied in trace amounts. to abiotic stresses
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29022999/
"Selenium is harmful to humans, W ater not Coal” Water
Sensationalist
Selenium is essential to human health. Elevated levels can be harmful. For water based human Selenium poisoning - see cow example above (You (You would also need to drink a lot of water)
https://www.healthline.com/health/selenium-foods https://www .healthline.com/health/selenium-foods (Dietary Requir Requirements) ements) http://www.annclinlabsci.org/content/36/4/409.long http://www .annclinlabsci.org/content/36/4/409.long (Selenium Toxicity) Toxicity)
“Ther e will not be “There significant cant economic impact”
Uninformed
Grassy Mountain has the potential to cr create eate 400 full time direct direct jobs during operations. Mining supports several other spin o o! jobs for supplies and services.(Estimates vary some as high as 1 Mining Job to4 Other Jobs) Large Large numbers of your families will be attracted to our community. community. Mining activity in the Elk Valley currently ently contributes 4 Billion ANNUALLY ANNUALLY to the local Valley curr economy. economy. In 2017 Mining in Canada contributed over $72 Billion to our GDP
https://www.visualcapitalist.com/canadas-mining-sector-impacts-economy/ https://www .visualcapitalist.com/canadas-mining-sector-impacts-economy/
won’tt last, they “The jobs won’ will be automated”
Uninformed
are automated in the future future - this will cr eate mor e If the mines are create more highly paid, highly skilled jobs (yes jobs will change) It has been throughout this way thr oughout history. history.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luddite https://en.wikipedia.or g/wiki/Luddite (Luddite)
“Why would be go forwar d forward oject when project with such a pr most of the Coal is going to China”
Uninformed
Global Regions such as China and India have the largest largest growth gr owth in the middle class and investment in infrastructure. infrastructure. where Canada’s This is wher e the market is. Canada’ s economy has a huge resource resource based export component. North American infrastructure growth, e is not experiencing the same large large gr infrastructur owth, hence the lower demand for Steel in North America and other developed nations.
World W orld Economic Forum https://www https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/06/global.weforum.org/agenda/2021/06/global.weforum.or g/agenda/2021/06/globalsteel-production/ steel-pr oduction/
“All this will do is make the for foreign eign owner rich”
Uninformed
67% of assets in Canada ar e held by Multinational Enterprises. are (2016) - See Economic Impact above. The Jobs, Services, Supplies and Resour ces are are her e. Resources here.
https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/11-621-m/11-621-m2019001eng.htm#a2 (Statistics Canada)
2
Wednesday, July 21, 2021 - crowsnest PAss HerALD - 7
Assertion
Category
Reality
"We should focus on "We Tourism, ourism, look at Fer Fernie nie and T Canmore” Canmore”
Uninformed
Active mining in the Crowsnest Crowsnest Pass ceased nearly 4 decades (Gover (Government nment of Alberta) https://r https://regionaldashboard.alberta.ca/region/ egionaldashboard.alberta.ca/region/ ago. There There has been more more than ample time “For Tourism crowsnest-pass/population/#/?from=2016&to=2020 Tourism to cr owsnest-pass/population/#/?from=2016&to=2020 save us” Thinking this will magically change by stopping projects in the area area fits the definition of potential mining projects insanity (Continually rrepeating epeating the same steps - but hoping for a di! di!erent erent outcome) Tourism Tourism has its place and it is a valuable addition to the community - but it is not enough.To enough.To think that Fer nie is sustained only by tourism is ill informed. Mining is a Fernie e’s pr oximity to Ban ! and as a Canmore’s proximity Ban! key part of the economy. economy. Canmor Calgary bedroom bedroom community for the well to do - explains a lot either. The Canmore of its economic basis. It is not tourism for Canmor e either. year-over -over-year -year,, population of Crowsnest Crowsnest Pass declined -3.09% year-over-year, year eased -5.22% in the last five years. and decr decreased
“Tourism and Mining can’ “Tourism can’tt co-exist”
Uninformed
Fernie Fer nie rrecognizes ecognizes the value of both industries. With an industrial tax base - rrecreational ecreational amenities can be built, are e the upgraded and maintained. Jobs attract families who ar most likely to use recreational recreational amenities, also take advantage of opportunities such as guided tours and mountain biking amongst other activities. Companies also often invest in facilities to provide provide opportunities for their employees. One only Valley as need look at the 3 indoor aquatic facilities in the Elk Valley an example.
“Blairmor “Blairmore e will be a dirty Coal town with all of the Coal Dust”
Sensationalist
Given Grassy Mountain’s https://www.google.com/maps/@49.6467311,-114.453615,10289m/data=! https://www .google.com/maps/@49.6467311,-114.453615,10289m/data=! Mountain’s location is 7 km North of Blairmore Blairmore more than exaggerated. With the prevailing prevailing wind 3m1!1e3 this is more direction measures direction as well as dust control control measur es in the mine operational plan - this is even mor e unlikely. unlikely. Some rresidents more esidents of Blairmore Blairmore and Hillcrest Hillcrest claim to be able to see Grassy Mountain e. There There is a possibility - but I have never understood from where. from wher dirty vehicles if not washed - could bring Coal into the community - but this situation exists today with many mining night. Ther e ar e overnight. There are Crowsnest Pass over vehicles sleeping in the Crowsnest ehicle Policies” in place with the companies that Vehicle strict “Clean V pr eason to expect that provide ovide these vehicles. There There is no rreason Riversdale would not abide by this policy such as this as well.
“Very few jobs will be “Very locals”
Uninformed
eference link her While it is true that some workers may opt to commute (Often here e - Locals Employed in Mining. Need a rreference centres from centr shift workers) from es such as Lethbridge and Calgary area most will choose to locate in the ar ea and become locals. Where are Wher e locals ar e qualified qualified ed they would certainly have the opportunity to be employed. Southwest Alberta is very di!erent from culture nature di! erent fr om the camp cultur e and Fly In/Fly Out natur e of work in the Oilsands. Many locals currently currently work in the mine industry in BC and provide contribution to the local provide a significant signi Crowsnest Pass economy in the Crowsnest
“We saved Grassy “We Mountain”
Uninformed
Underground Underground mining commenced at Grassy Mountain in 1909, and transitioned to Open Pit mining prior to ceasing operation reclaimed. If the pr oject is indeed in 1959. The mine was never reclaimed. project eclaimed. It is category 4 prior mine cancelled - it will not be rreclaimed. “We saved Grassy Mountain” these workings. So by claiming “We are at least 65 years late. Perhaps they mean they individuals are are saving Grassy Mountain from from being rreclaimed. eclaimed. are
Assertion
Category
Reality
“Massive amounts of Selenium will come fr from om the Coal washing”
Uninformed
Selenium leaches from ock after it has been from disturbed waste rrock exposed to air and oxidizes over time. Given the washing of Coal takes place in hours - there there is little to no time for oxidation. While possible - Selenium fr from om Coal washing would be minimal trace levels at best. If the Coal is allowed to oxidize over time - there there is the potential for Selenium to leach fr from om it.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/ https://www .researchgate.net/publication/ 291124391_Selenium_leaching_fr om_coal_waste_rock_in_the_Elk_Valley_BC 291124391_Selenium_leaching_from_coal_waste_rock_in_the_Elk_Valley_BC
“The Tailings Tailings Pond would have a negative impact”
Uninformed
With the Dry Stack Tailings Tailings pr process ocess planned for Grassy theree is no tailings pond. Additionally much of the Mountain ther ecycled in the washing pr process ocess water is rrecovered ecovered and rrecycled
https://www.mclanahan.com/blog/dry-stack-tailings-an-alternative-tohttps://www .mclanahan.com/blog/dry-stack-tailings-an-alternative-toconventional-tailings-management
“A heavy rain will cause all sorts of sediment to run o! o the mine into the nearby cr eeks” creeks”
Uninformed
The plan detailed in the pr oject shows settling ponds wher project wheree the https://www https://www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca/050/documents/p80101/103912E.pdf .ceaa-acee.gc.ca/050/documents/p80101/103912E.pdf (Page sediment would settle out after a heavy pr precipitation ecipitation event. No 83) 2015 Pr Project o! to settling ponds oject Application - Directing Directing water run o such ponds exist today with the historic unr unreclaimed eclaimed mine workings - so the sediment has been flowing into the local str eams for decades with high runo! runo events. streams
Mor Moree than 70% of are opposed to Albertans are Eastern mining in the Eastern Slopes
Presumptious Presumptious
The survey was commissioned by CP CPAWS CPA AWS and the Livingstone Landowner Gr oup. Based on the survey rresults esults fr om 1000 Group. from rrespondents espondents that wer n weree awar awaree of developments in the Easter Eastern Slopes (A subset of 1000) the statement became “Over 70% of ALL Albertans are Eastern are opposed to mining in the Easter n Slopes” whether this is in fact true or not is an uncertainty. uncertainty. This was spun by the very vocal anti mining group group as if they were were speaking for ALL Albertans. This spin seemed to be pretty pretty e!ective.
“The decision to reject reject the project project is based on sound science and its impact on First Nations”
Premature Premature ad Presumptuous Presumptuous
If the approval https://calgaryherald.com/opinion/columnists/opinion-rejection-of-thehttps://calgaryherald.com/opinion/columnists/opinion-r ejection-of-theapproval for the appeal is given - we shall see how this plays out. The photo in the article shows Grassy Mountain in its grassy-mountain-coal-mine-pr grassy-mountain-coal-mine-project-was-incomprehensible-and-possiblyoject-was-incomprehensible-and-possiblypolitical current current state. It is doubtful that many that are are opposed to the project project have actually seen Grassy Mountain. Far from from pristine. ocess is Tribe’s process In the Blood Tribe’ T ribe’s letter of support “The goal of the pr to restore Treaty restore the mine site to a state that can support Tr T reaty rights current unreclaimed and traditional land use.” Referring to the curr ent unr eclaimed legacy state of the project. project. The AER did not truly consider first nations in their decision. If the project project is indeed cancelled these lands will not be rrestored estored to a state where where First Nations treaty will be able to practice their tr eaty rights as they were were anticipating.
“First Nations were were not consulted”
FALSE F ALSE
ed Extensive consultation of all Tr Treaty T reaty 7 Nations occurr occurred throughout the pr oject. Support for Grassy Mountain was throughout project. Organizations such as Niitsítapi W ater Pr otectors stated by all. Organizations Water Protectors claim that the democratically elected Chief and Council do not speak for them - which seems to be the sour ce of confusion. source reports summarizes the consultation. The Joint Review Panel reports With the exception of Samson Cr ee Nation (North of Ponoka) Cree expressing concern concern (They opted not to participate in the expressing hearing)
https://bloodtribe.org/index.php/2021/01/27/community-notice-update-3https://bloodtribe.or g/index.php/2021/01/27/community-notice-update-3on-the-grassy-mountain-mine-pr oject-january-28-2021/ (Blood Tribe) Tribe) on-the-grassy-mountain-mine-project-january-28-2021/ https://piikaninationnews.ca/piikani-nation-community-update-grassymountain-pr oject/ (Piikani Nation) mountain-project/
Yes Y es - Numer Numerous ous Anti-Mining people have actually said this - as amazing as it is. Even mor moree amazing is it has been rrepeated epeated multiple times. Saving the best for last.
Social Media
“Blasting at Grassy Amazing Mountain will cause the rrest est of Turtle Turtle Mountain to slide”
Source ce Sour
3
https://www.fernie.ca/EN/main/business.html https://www .fernie.ca/EN/main/business.html (City of Fer Fernie) nie)
Social Media
Source Sour ce
https://cpaws-southernalberta.org/albertans-want-more-protections-for-thehttps://cpaws-souther nalberta.org/albertans-want-more-protections-for-theeaster n-slopes/# eastern-slopes/#
8 – crowsnest PAss HerALD – Wednesday, July 21, 2021
Wednesday, June 21 , 2021 - crowsnest PAss HerALD - 9
10 – Crowsnest Pass HeraLD – Wednesday, July 21, 2021
Council votes to rezone cont’d from page 2 Councillor Sygutek also spoke to her reasons for supporting the bylaw. "When we thought the mines were going to happen, we did several studies in the community. What we found was shocking and it was shocking because I don't live in the same lifestyle that the majority of the people in the community do. We know that 52 per cent of our population is making under provincial standards. We know that there are 400 people that
are trying to live in this community and over 30 per cent of their income is going towards rent. We have more green space in this community than anything. We have so much green space that we have some houses that can have a fire and some houses that can't during a fire ban, because those houses are in provincial green space land and others are on municipal land. We live in green space. If you have to walk a little bit to go and use a green space, I think
you should do that in order for somebody to have somewhere to live. You are lucky in Bellevue. You have Firemans Park. UROC has made a ton of biking trails in this community for you to walk on with your animals and in this community with your children. We have studies from a person who lives right there, who's absolutely in favour of it and he was too scared to come and talk because of how he'd get treated. He's been taking stats since June 9th
of the usage of that park. The numbers are pretty dismal to be honest. I really believed that when we announced we were going to do this the community would rejoice. I really thought that we would say it's about time that we took care of all those people in our community. I'm shocked that so many people feel that that green space is more important than somebody having the opportunity to have a better life." Other Councillors also gave their viewpoints on the rezoning and all were
in favour of it. Mayor Painter was the last member of Council to speak on the rezoning. "15 per cent of our population, 855 people, need a place to live that they can afford. That's a good chunk. We are elected to do the best that we can do for our community. It's been pointed out to us that we need attainable housing. We need to look after the residents of the Crowsnest Pass. In this particular development, there is still going to be park space. This is attain-
able housing. These are entry-level homes that people can start off life with. I can't believe that folks would rather have us walk away from this type of development and leave vulnerable people, people that don't have a chance to have their own home." Following discussion, Councillor Ward made a motion for second reading and that motion was carried. Councillor Sygutek then made a motion for third and final reading. That motion was also carried, passing the bylaw.
Letters to the the Editor Policy: The Pass Herald welcomes Letters to the Editor that examine issues, but reserves the right to edit for length, libel and syntax. Writers must sign letters and include first and last names, address and telephone number. Address and telephone numbers will not be published. Only in exceptional cases will the Pass Herald withhold the name of the writer and in those cases the writer must disclose his/her name, address and telephone number to the Editor. Electronic email will be considered an electronic signature. Letters to the Editor do not reflect the opinion of the Pass Herald. Letters cannot exceed 1,000 words. We have limited space, but we do enjoy printing every article. So please, to allow everyone to express their opinion, keep the letters short and to the point. We do have the right to refuse any letter that in our judgement may contain libel or libelous opinions. Should a litigation result from your letter, you as the writer are responsible but so is this newspaper as the publisher. The Pass Herald is a family owned community newspaper and therefore reserves the right to refuse any advertisement that in our opinion does not follow our mandate. We cannot accept advertisements or letters criticizing or disparaging other advertisers, companies or individuals or any advertisements directed to a religion or race.
Disingenuous - insincere, deceptive or misleading Dear Editor;
It is just not right. After 7 years engaged in a government process, satisfactorily meeting an ever-increasing sea of regulatory concerns at great cost, after having the affected residents, including first nations communities, very supportive, after doing everything right and being willing to consider addressing even doing more… the Grassy Mountain coal mine proposers were effectively told to go away. It is like applying for a position, writing the tests, and struggling through numerous personal evaluations, passing every one, and being encouraged along the way, only to be
told at the end of a long personally costly process the position doesn’t really exist. That is nasty. That is wrong. That is what happened to Riversdale. That is what happened to the hard-working business people in the municipality of Crowsnest Pass. When the province is cutting funding to municipalities, forcing them to decide between cutting services or raising (already high) property taxes, and when unemployment in Alberta is the highest in Canada (and even higher in southwestern Alberta) and the provincial debt is soaring, to then unceremoniously send international investors (with a good social
environmental and records) packing after leading them along for years is very bad for the community, the province and our international reputation. Even the 1976 coal moratorium on the eastern slopes, which has been misused as political football recently, allows for limited, safe, and clean coal mining to be considered. It is not a complete lock out (even though the current extremists want it to be). Yet two appointed bureaucrats from Alberta and one from the federal Liberals went through a poorly attended, Joint Review Process (JRP) and then wrote a report that insulted, the government
approved work done to date by the Grassy Mountain applicants, and even effectively told the first nations communities that they don’t know what is good for them. No conditions for approval were ever even considered. The outcome of the Joint Review Process seems to have already been written well before the public process even began. Environmental alarmists, many of whom are academics, or publicly funded activists, who have comfortable retirements often paid for by Alberta taxpayers, who never had to work a payroll or meet a business bottom line, and many of whom don’t live in the Crowsnest, (some don’t
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even live in Canada) lit up their networks to build the political pressure that the UCP compliantly bowed to, during what is suppose to be an impartial process. Many of us in the Crowsnest, trusted the process to do its work and come up with the conditions and constraints that must be met, which would then allow the applicant to consider moving ahead or not under those constraints. Well, the process was disingenuous (a word our Premier likes to use). This is a Premier who I, and many others in the Crowsnest, campaigned for, contributed to, and believed him when he said his priorities were jobs and economy. Well, it seems he, and our local
MLA, have cowered to activists with agendas that go well beyond “protecting the environment” rather than helping the people he is supposed to serve. To the businesspeople and families who established and maintain these southwestern Alberta communities, their hopes have been crushed once again. Not good. We all care about our environment, but let’s get away from setting policy by the loudest advocacy group. It is time to try again. Restart the JRP. Honor the process and treat people and corporate interests (who actually pay the tab) with the respect they deserve. That is Alberta. Eric Lowther More letters on pg. 15
3” wide version
Wednesday, June 21 , 2021 - crowsnest PAss HerALD -11
John Pundyk.CoM
Simply Selles Musings from your local reporter As I was driving back into the Pass after spending the weekend in Lethbridge, I could barely see 20 feet in front of me. Now, that’s something you would usually come to expect when driving in southern Alberta in the winter but not something you’d expect when driving somewhere in the summer. The low visibility this trip was all due to forest fire smoke. The hot dry weather can be enjoyable for certain amounts of time in the summer because it allows for everyone to get outside, enjoy some sun and maybe cool off in one of the local lakes. When it lasts as long as it has so far this summer, we get nailed for it in the way of fires. There have been multiple different fires igniting all over BC and Alberta due to the extremely hot and dry weather we’ve experienced so far this summer. With that comes heavy amounts of smoke, which make not only enjoying the outdoors difficult but it just makes each day harder to get through if you’re inhaling smoke all day. It’s not an enjoyable experience for anyone. Up until later last week, southern Alberta had managed to avoid the heavy smoke cover thanks to the wind blowing in the right direction. With the shift in wind, Alberta has now been blanketed with smoke. While we don’t enjoy it, the smoke can also serve as a reminder for us to be extra cautious. Whether it’s a cigarette butt that someone throws out the window, or thinking it’s still okay to have a fire in the backyard, the heavy layers of smoke remind us that if we don’t want to have it here all summer, we need to be smart and make sure we’re doing everything we can to lessen the chances of another fire starting in our community. There’s another side of the equation to all of this as well. That’s the firefighters. There are men and women who spend their entire summers fighting wildfires around Canada and do everything they can to ensure that as little damage as possible is done to communities across the country. I couldn’t imagine what they face on a day-to-day basis fighting fire after fire after fire. It takes an incredible amount of strength and courage to fight fires day in day out for multiple months. Let’s ensure we’re doing what we can to make their jobs a little easier and in doing so, make sure our community stays it’s beautiful self.
THANK YOU I would like to thank all the doctors, nurses and medical staff for the exceptional and compassionate care that I recently received while a patient in our Crowsnest Pass Hospital. Being able to come home to the Crowsnest Pass Hospital for me was truly a blessing, and made me once again realize and appreciate what a wonderful facility and people we have in our community!! THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN ~ Marion Borrows
403
Royal LePage South Country Real Estate Services Ltd. blaIrmore commercIal Fantastic investment/revenue opportunity in Crowsnest Pass. Located on busy block main street Blairmore. Two-story 5,000 sq ft building is home to successful, long-established salon and spa. Two-bedroom guest suite upstairs at the front of the building. 3 additional studio apartments accessible at the rear. Double car garage from back lane. This is a "building/land only" sale. $369,000 CALL JOHN MLS
coleman Beautiful mountain acreage with stunning views of the Crowsnest Mountain and the Crowsnest Range to the south. 3 bedroom and 2 full bath home nestled in mature Douglas Fir forest. Perfect for secluded mountain cabin to call home. Minutes away from the Atlas staging area, Chinook Prov. Rec Area and the renowned Allison Creek Nordic Ski trails. $507,000 CALL JOHN MLS
562-8830 jpundyk@shaw.ca blaIrmore Beautiful mountain property in the Canadian Rockies. This two-bedroom, two-bathroom home is in Blairmore and has high quality updates, including bathrooms, kitchen, roof, flooring, paint, windows and much more. Large yard with back lane access. Wonderful central location. $289,000. CALL JOHN MLS
kananaSkIS WIlDS Beautiful mountain home with views to the south. Fully serviced with town water, municipal sewer, fire hydrants and wired high speed internet. 5 bedroom, 3 bathroom mountain home is European Alps inspired. Big timbers and artfully crafted Douglas Fir staircases. Master suite with 3 piece bath in the loft. 2 bedrooms and large room with kitchenette in lower area. 2,363 sq ft living space, plus 300 sq ft fully insulated loft above 24’ x 26’ garage. $725,000 CALL JOHN MLS
bellevue
3 IronSTone Fantastic 3 bedroom semi-detached bungalow with great mountain views. Hardwood floors, granite counters, hickory cabinets and fir doors. Main floor laundry. Fully developed with 3 bathrooms and large garage. Close to Castle Mountain and Fernie ski resorts. Great access to mountain backcountry trail network, golf course, and blue ribbon fly fishing. $384,000 CALL JOHN MLS
Fantastic opportunity for commercial location along busy Highway 3. East and West bound traffic access. Currently occupied as a successful fly-fishing shop, known to fly fishermen throughout Canada and the U.S. Can be sold as a business to someone wishing for a change of pace or for a property that can be re-purposed. C1 zoning allows for different opportunities. High traffic volume in front of the property. $435,000 CALL JOHN MLS
33 IronSTone
27 kananaSkIS courT
Under construction 2 beds up and 2 beds down. 3 bathrooms. Fantastic views. Main floor laundry. Open floor plan. Now under construction. Large double car garage. Spacious laundry room and storage area. Crowsnest Pass has beautiful mountain golf course, blue ribbon mountain fly fishing, cross-country skiing, hiking, mountain biking and short distance from down-hill ski resorts. $499,000 CALL JOHN MLS
59 kananaSkIS place
-Very large, fully serviced, mountain building lot at Kananaskis Wilds. This parcel of land, at 15,741 sq ft, has southern exposure and grand mountain views. Topography allows for a home with a south facing walk-out basement. Unusual value in this price range. Wired, high speed internet to property. Close to the Alberta Forest Reserve and hundreds of kilometres of mountain trails. Also close to Chinook Recreation Area and renowned Nordic Ski area. $127,000 CALL JOHN MLS
bellevue
Spectacular mountain views on large, fully serviced lot, high on north rim of the valley at Kananaskis Wilds. Fantastic building site. Easy topography to work with, which is a very important when choosing a building lot in the mountains. Exciting community just off Mountain Trunk Road 940. Serviced with town water, sewer, power, telephone, high speed internet, as well as fire hydrants. Development is just a few steps from rugged mountain terrain. Close to Alberta Forest Reserve. $124,000 CALL JOHN MLS
Affordable bungalow in the Canadian Rockies of the Crowsnest Pass. 2 bed, 2 bath home situated in quiet area of Bellevue backing onto green space. Fenced, sunny location. Sunroom which shares gas fireplace with living room. Quiet back yard. Crowsnest Pass offers golf course, walking trails and health care facilities. Attached garage with concrete driveway make for easy living. $319,000 CALL JOHN MLS
croWSneST mounTaIn lanD
Beautiful and still affordable mountain lot in the Canadian Rockies. Great location and fantastic mountain views. This lot is flat and suitable for many different building styles. Crowsnest Pass is a great mountain destination. The community is located on the Alberta/BC border almost equidistant between Fernie Alpine Ski Resort and Castle Mountain resort. Great access for year-round recreational activities and some of the best trail networks in the Rockies. $59,000 CALL JOHN MLS
3.5 acres near base of majestic Crowsnest Mountain and mountain range to the south. Zoned drive-in commercial allowing for potential of multiple uses. Possibility of a “Residence, secondary to an approved use” – as per municipal zoning by-law. Outstanding surroundings on the Continental Divide. $239,000 CALL JOHN MLS
coleman
hIllcreST
bellevue cafe Historic building with a mix of commercial on ground floor and residential up top. Formally known as the Bellevue Café. Private backyard. Solid foundation under the building. Perfect for a mountain get-a-way or a cool investment. $224,900 JOHN MLS
CALL
Wonderful 3 bed, 2 bath modular home in very desirable Monte Vista Park in Hillcrest. Stunning mountain views in excellent mountain community. This unit has a deluxe kitchen with beautiful cabinetry. Immaculate throughout and very affordable. $119,700 CALL JOHN MLS
coleman acreage neW IronSTone 35 New condo under construction. 2beds up, 2beds down, with 3 bathrooms. Spacious main floor laundry. Open floor plan. Large double car garage. Spectacular views and close to all amenities. Still time to choose your finishes. $499,000 CALL JOHN MLS
Mountain acreage with great view of the South Range. Close to backcountry up Kananaskis Highway and Forest Reserve. Close to town with many different building sites to take advantage of unparallel mountain living. Town water in front street. Opportunity to own 3 acres in the Canadian Rockies at a great price. $225,000 CALL JOHN MLS
AlbertA top ten royAl lepAge 2020
12 – CROWSNEST PaSS hERalD – Wednesday, July 21, 2021
Council Discusses Charge for Backcountry Rescues DaviD SelleS Pass Herald Reporter
Council spent some time discussing the municipality’s current policy for backcountry rescue services and whether or
not they would like to see changes made to the policy. Previous Council in 2006 implemented a policy where cost recovery was to be pursued for
nonresidents in relation to backcountry rescue services. While this policy remains in our system, it is unclear if it is aligned with Council's current wishes. Additionally, the existing policy is incomplete and does not contain appropriate language or preciseness to follow. In the information presented to Council, they were told charging a fee for backcountry rescue operations is an extremely contentious topic. Opponents of this argue that there should never be an actual or perceived barrier to calling for help when needed. Essentially, if a person knows they may not have funds to cover rescue costs, they may not call for help when they truly need it, which could be potentially life threatening.
In BC and Alberta, it is uncommon to charge for rescue services; even in highly populated recreation areas. The Crowsnest Pass, due to its unlimited mountain and wilderness terrain, experience high volumes of visitors who recreate here and to the north inside the jurisdiction of Ranchlands, sometimes finding themselves in trouble that they cannot get themselves out of. It has also been argued that a small residential tax base should not have to pay for an influx of non-residents having to be rescued. Previous attempts for cost recovery have proved difficult and often futile. For instances involving hikers and mountain bikes, there isn't typically insurance that exists for cost recovery. If an invoice is issued to the individual/s, and they do not pay it, there is little recourse for collection. An average municipal expense for rescue may range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand. Pursuing non-payment may not be worthwhile due to legal costs
far exceeding the amount to be collected. It should be noted that the significant costs associated with helicopter rescue is an RCMP expense, not paid by Municipality funds. For motorized vehicles such as snow machines and OHV's, there is typically an associated insurance that may cover accident expenses. Additionally, discussions are currently taking place to more clearly define how MCNP Fire Rescue supports occurrences in the southern region of the MD of Ranchlands. Historically, MCNP Fire Rescue has provided aid to the southern portion of Ranchlands without compensation or a formal mutual aid agreement. The Fire Chief identified this and initiated response and compensation concerns to the MD of Ranchlands and the MD of Willow Creek, who provide contracted emergency services for Ranchlands. It is expected to have an agreement within the next several months. After the information was presented to Council,
they held discussion on the topic. Councillor Sygutek asked how many backcountry rescues the Municipality had last year. Council was informed that the municipality had a significantly higher number of backcountry rescues last year due to the high volume of new visitors exploring the area. Councillor Sygutek also said she'd like Administration to find out costs for an average rescue. "I'd like a cost of what an average rescue would cost the taxpayer. I would also like to know what the cost for a rescue in the Kananaskis costs. I'd like to know that number as well. I think we're ready for an explosion of people coming to the area so I think we really need to discuss this policy. I think we need to find those numbers out." Councillor Ward made a motion to defer a decision on what Council would like done with the policy until further information can be compiled by Administration. The motion was carried.
Wednesday, July 21, 2021 - crowsnest PAss HerALD - 13
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Former Hospital Site Sale, new businesses coming Herald Contributor
The Municipality of Crowsnest Pass is proud to announce that we have an unconditional purchase with 293038 Alberta Ltd to sell the 6.25 acres at 10509 – 20 Avenue, Blairmore (the former hospital site on Highway 3). 293038 Alberta Ltd is a real estate developer located in Lethbridge. They have previously constructed Westgate in west Lethbridge and is the owner of numerous retail and industrial properties in Lethbridge. 293038 Alberta Ltd has confirmed Dairy Queen, Edo Japan, a cannabis retailer, as well as a Wyndham Branded Hotel as users on the site. Negotiations with other users are ongoing and they hope to have further announcements in the next month. Construction on the site could start as early as October 2021.
Wednesday, July 21, 2021 - cRowsnest PAss HeRALD - 15
Letters to the Editor cont’d from page 10
The Grassy ruling gives the Oldman hope Dear Editor;
A recent letter to the editor written by Tim Juhlin lauds the proposed Grassy Mountain Coal Mine Project and criticizes the “no mine” decision delivered by the Joint (federal/provincial) Review Panel. Mr. Juhlin's letter presents financial benefits of the proposal that are, I
suggest, in error and mirror data presented by the project proponent, not the assessed findings of the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER). Also, his statement that the panel’s decision was not founded in sound science is refuted by the wealth of expert testimony presented at the hearing by multidisciplinary scientists.
I can’t imagine how anyone who followed the public hearing could, based on its revelations, question the integrity of the Joint Review Panel’s decision. More amazing to me is the fact that the proponent’s submission was deemed worthy of receiving the formal review. And, lurking in the
background, there’s this: The AER, based on its tumultuous media-reported history and its previous decisions, had fallen so far in its publicly assessed credibility that most reviewers expected the AER to approve the Grassy Mountain proposal despite the mountain of evidence revealing this submission’s failings.
Response to Letter to the Editor Dear Editor;
I write in response to the recent letter from Tim Juhlin. It is difficult to know where to begin in refuting the plethora of inaccurate statements in his letter. I will address only a few of the more obvious ones. Mr. Juhlin talks uncritically of the claimed economic benefits that would come from the mine, without any consideration of the costs that also come with that mine. First, I would point out that he seems to accept the benefit claims from Benga without question. However, a recent study by Robyn Allen and others of coal mines in northeast BC showed that virtually all the benefits claimed for those projects were seriously inflated, whether it was local jobs
or annual taxes. Similar findings were reported by the New South Wales Environmental Court regarding a coal mine proposal in that Australia state. The benefits claimed are only benefits if they are realized, which appears unlikely from dispassionate analyses done in multiple locations by academics and legal experts. Mr. Juhlin should specially note the sections in those reviews that showed that taxes paid did not come close to the amounts predicted. In fact, the BC mines got much more in subsidies than they paid in taxes. That transforms a claimed benefit into a cost. He also neglects to consider that downstream users could be adversely impacted if Benga
changes the quantity or quality of water. The agri-food businesses in the Lethbridge area are currently worth hundreds of millions of dollars each year, a yield that can continue indefinitely. Those businesses are at serious risk if selenium increases in the Oldman River. Information recently presented to the Coal Commission showed that selenium levels in the Oldman would rise significantly if coal mines are authorized. The data, derived from the Teck mines, showed that removal of the inevitable selenium leachate would have to exceed 90% in all the water flowing through a mine site if water in Lethbridge is to remain useable for agriculture. That is without considering human
health impacts. A recent study done by Golders Associates for a major mining institute concluded that there has not yet been a selenium control program that was anywhere close to that level of efficiency in a real world setting. Golders is one of the leading mining consultants in the world, so their conclusions can not be said to be biased against miners. Mr. Juhlin claims that the professionals working for Riversdale/Benga could not do so bad a job as to deserve a rejection. I hate to burst his bubble, but, in a career before medicine, I spent several years grading work done by undergraduate biological science students. What I saw in the EIA he refers to would not have received a passing grade
I believe it’s likely the AER, very aware of its reputation, felt both a scientific and legal imperative to act on the wealth of evidence exposing the proponent’s inability to deliver its stated claims, and recognized the proposal’s obvious—mountain-consuming—impact on the headwaters landscape, its potential to needlessly and irreversibly degrade the Oldman Watershed’s ability to deliver, qualitatively and quantitatively, essen-
tial life-sustaining water to the people of southern Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. My hope: that Alberta and Canada, aware of the century and the world we live in, recognize and preserve the suslong-range tainable economic and ecological worth of an intact Rocky Mountain landscape … and protect this world-acclaimed virtue from short-sighted industrial ruin. David McIntyre
even after it had been revised multiple times. As a single example of poor work, how could any well researched submission have claimed that winds in Crowsnest Pass rarely exceed 60 km/hr? Mr. Juhlin suggests that the Panel members were less skilled than the Riversdale experts. Regardless of his opinion, the members were appointed by their respective governments (including Alberta) in accordance with the rules that Riversdale was well aware of and which they did not object to, at least until they lost. There were multiple subject matter experts who testified before the Panel, showing where the submissions by Riversdale and their experts were flawed, if not outright wrong. His letter bemoans the lack of an appeal route
for Benga. That is inaccurate, since the company filed a motion to appeal on July 16. Mr Juhlin suggests in his final paragraph that the opinions expressed by many thousands of citizens are wrong. More than 24,000 citizens responded to a Government of Alberta survey, and stated loudly and clearly that they value the East Slopes for things like the life-giving water that it provides to the millions of Prairie residents who depend on it. An overmajority whelming rejected coal mines. The short-term gains that a few hundred Pass residents MIGHT gain from a mine can not possibly be worth risking the well being and prosperity of the millions who live downstream of the East Slopes. Allan Garbutt
Benga launches legal appeal of Joint Reveiw Panel ruling July 19, 2021 Benga Mining Limited
(Benga) today announced that it has commenced a legal appeal process following the decision of the Grassy Mountain Joint Review Panel (JRP), in its capacity as the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER), dated June 17, 2021, to deny the Grassy Mountain Steelmaking Coal Project (Project). Benga has filed an Application for Permission to Appeal to the Court of Appeal of Alberta. “After careful and thorough review of the JRP’s report, Benga believes that the AER’s conclusions and reasons contain material errors of law and contraventions of procedural fairness,” said John Wallington, CEO of Benga. “Among the reasoning in its report, the AER dismissed the full support of the relevant First Nations without consultation, demonstrated a lack of fa-
miliarity with the provincial royalty regime, and gave preference to nonexpert layman analysis over expert, sciencebased evidence. These errors must be addressed to not only deliver fairness to Benga and the Indigenous groups adversely affected by the decision, but to provide future guidance to any company considering an investment in Alberta and Canada, any participants in AER and JRP review processes, future AER and JRP panels, and Indigenous groups that support projects and can benefit economically and culturally from their approval.” Benga’s Application for Permission to Appeal is based on a number of errors made by the JRP in its capacity as the AER, each of which raises a question of law or jurisdiction. These errors include: • Failing to engage with, consult with, or
suggest consultation with affected Indigenous groups when contemplating the rejection of the Project. As a result, the JRP did not properly assess the impact of the rejection of the Project on Indigenous rights and economic interests. Should it proceed, the Project would create hundreds of jobs and generate economic benefits for nearby Indigenous groups. • Denying Benga procedural fairness by finding that Benga submitted insufficient information in its application, after informing Benga prior to the hearing that the “content of the EIA report and addenda meet the Alberta Energy Regulator final terms of reference”. • Ignoring relevant evidence from Benga, or misconstruing that evidence related to topics such as surface-water quality, Westslope Cut-
throat Trout and their habitat, and Project economics. • Improperly relying on layperson or nonexpert and unfounded opinions that lacked science- based support, rather than on sciencebased evidence presented by Benga. • Finding that Alberta’s Mine Financial Security Program – which is overseen by the government itself – was inadequate for Benga to rely on to address long-term water treatment costs. Each of these errors was fundamental to the JRP’s finding that the Project is not in the public interest and require the JRP to reconsider Benga’s application to approve the Project. Benga believes it is unprecedented for Alberta’s energy regulator to deny a project after a public hearing. Since 2009, 11 oil sands and coal mining projects have gone through Alberta’s
energy regulator oral hearing process, with eight being approved, three withdrawn, and none denied. “The JRP could have addressed any valid concerns with the Project by making an approval conditional on strict conditions. This well-established and proven approach ensures any development can only proceed with adequate protections in place. Unfortunately, for reasons unknown to us, the JRP imposed a decision that is based on a number of errors of law, leaving Benga no choice but to take the steps we announced today,” said Wallington. Benga will file an Affidavit and a Memorandum of Argument in support of its Application for Permission to Appeal in the coming days and weeks. The Grassy Mountain Project is a proposed steelmaking coal mine in
Crowsnest Pass, Alberta. The Project holds a Category 4 land use classification; nearly 25% of the Project sits on previously mined (legacy) land, which was mined over 60 years ago and never properly restored. Benga’s plans incorporate industry- leading practices to manage water use, protect wildlife and accelerate reclamation. The proposed capital expenditure for the Project is approximately $800 million, and approximately 500 jobs would be created during construction and 385 full-time site positions at full production. Over the life of mine, the Project would be expected to generate $1.7 billion in provincial and federal income taxes and royalties. Editors Note: Piikani Nation and and Stoney Nakoda Nations have both filed an Application for Permission to Appeal.
16 – Crowsnest PAss HerALD – Wednesday, July 21, 2021
Coleman Lions donate Standing in front of the newly restored Blairmore Catholic Cemetery cross is Coleman Lions rep Guy Farano presenting a cheque to Irene Shafer, chairman of the Crowsnest Memorial Society, for cemetery enhancements. John Kinnear photo
THIS WEEK AT THE PASS POOL All are welcome for LEISURE SWIM!! (Check the schedule for many times through the week!)
*Leisure Swim is when all amenities (slide, hot tub, lazy river) are available except the Lap Pool. *Begin your Lifeguard Training at the Pass Pool - Watch for Bronze Cross Course in August. (Must be 13 years of age)