This summer, the ELC asked the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development and the Auditor General of Canada for an inquiry Into Canada’s failure to control Elk Valley’s coal mine pollution.
The comprehensive submission, prepared on behalf of Wildsight, requests an investigation and report into the regulatory negligence of Environment and Climate Change Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
Coal mining in the Elk Valley has boomed in recent decades, which has drastically increased pollution in the Elk Valley watershed, and four new coal mine projects are being proposed. Since its release, the submission has generated significant interest and support from a variety of parties, including groups and officials across the border and the Ktunaxa Nation, which has called for a moratorium on assessments of new coal mines in the Elk Valley and, in a submission to the federal and provincial governments, mentioned support for the ELC’s inquiry request.
ELC Submission:
Media:
- Talk of potential sale of Teck coal mines prompts concerns about contamination in B.C.’s Elk Valley (2021 Oct 4) The Narwhal
- It’s time to end water pollution in the Elk Valley (2021 Sep 22) Wildsight
- Environmental Watchdog Urged to Probe Canada’s ‘Regulatory Failure’ (2021 Sep 07) Flathead Beacon
- Kenney government urged by Edmonton water utility to halt new coal mines before ‘scientifically rigorous’ review (2021 Aug 27) The Narwhal
- Coal Wire, Issue 378 (2021 Jul 22) CoalWire.org
- Investigate water pollution in B.C.’s Elk Valley, environmental groups urge federal agencies (2021 Jul 22) The Globe and Mail
- Federal watchdog urged to investigate Canada’s ‘longstanding failure’ to stop B.C. Elk Valley coal mine pollution (2021 Jul 16) The Narwhal