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Purposeful deception here. The *652,000* hectares of coal leases in Cat 2 lands were held as applications for decades under the Coal Policy: there was little prospect of approval of exploration or subsurface mining. When the UCP rescinded the Policy the leases were granted. 1/8 https://twitter.com/Bateson_AB/status/1360330827419119616
Once granted, exploration activities across these leases on Cat 2 lands were approved & continue apace.
The UCP govt in Jan–due to public outcry–only cancelled 11 *new* leases issued in Dec, representing less than 1% of the total area of leases in Cat 2 lands (bait & switch) 2/8
The UCP govt in Jan–due to public outcry–only cancelled 11 *new* leases issued in Dec, representing less than 1% of the total area of leases in Cat 2 lands (bait & switch) 2/8
When that deceptive bait & switch failed, further public outcry pushed the UCP to "reinstate" the Coal Policy. But existing leases are valid & exploration programs (most approved in literally hours by AER) continue on Cat 2 lands & several mine proposals are being considered. 3/8
Is this further deception from @Bateson_AB the way to rebuild trust with Albertans on the coal file?
Is this the start of promised good-faith public consultations on the future of the coal mining industry in our province?
Is gaslighting the way you start a new relationship? 4/8
Is this the start of promised good-faith public consultations on the future of the coal mining industry in our province?
Is gaslighting the way you start a new relationship? 4/8
The details of the Coal Policy & how these Cat 2 leases were held as "applications" from 1976 until June 2020 are clearly set out in this @ABlawg post from Prof @BankesNigel 5/8
"Coal Law & Policy in Alberta, Part One: the Coal Policy & Its Legal Status" https://ablawg.ca/2021/02/08/coal-law-and-policy-in-alberta-part-one-the-coal-policy-and-its-legal-status/
"Coal Law & Policy in Alberta, Part One: the Coal Policy & Its Legal Status" https://ablawg.ca/2021/02/08/coal-law-and-policy-in-alberta-part-one-the-coal-policy-and-its-legal-status/
Details on the Crown's past leasing policy for Cat 2 lands & how that changed w/ Coal Policy rescission (652,000 hectares of Cat 2 leases granted) are here: 6/8
"Coal Law & Policy in Alberta, Part 2: The Rules for Acquiring Coal Rights & Royalty Regime" https://ablawg.ca/2021/02/11/coal-law-and-policy-in-alberta-part-2-the-rules-for-acquiring-coal-rights-and-the-royalty-regime/
"Coal Law & Policy in Alberta, Part 2: The Rules for Acquiring Coal Rights & Royalty Regime" https://ablawg.ca/2021/02/11/coal-law-and-policy-in-alberta-part-2-the-rules-for-acquiring-coal-rights-and-the-royalty-regime/
How the "reinstatement" of the Coal Policy isn't a TRUE reinstatement & reversion to the May 2020 status quo (another bait & switch!) is in this @BankesNigel @ABlawg post: 7/8
"What Are the Implications of Reinstating the 1976 Coal Development Policy?" https://ablawg.ca/2021/02/09/what-are-the-implications-of-reinstating-the-1976-coal-development-policy/
"What Are the Implications of Reinstating the 1976 Coal Development Policy?" https://ablawg.ca/2021/02/09/what-are-the-implications-of-reinstating-the-1976-coal-development-policy/
In summary, @bateson_ab & the UCP govt continue to deceive & gaslight Albertans on the Coal Policy & their plans to strip-mine the protected areas of the headlands of the Rockies for coal.
Again, is this how we re-set the relationship & listen to Albertan's concerns? 8/8
Again, is this how we re-set the relationship & listen to Albertan's concerns? 8/8
As @BankesNigel says above–"In sum, Minister Savage claims that the 1976 Policy has been reinstated, but a lot of activity has occurred between Jun/20 & Feb/21 & none of that has been rolled back. This is not reinstatement; it is reinstatement-minus what has happened since Jun 1"
And I love how his tweet is only amplified by paid UCP staffers and UCP volunteers 
