Court Overturns Ottawa’s Decision to Deny Coal Mine Permit to Alberta First Nations

The Federal Court has overturned a decision made by the federal government to deny a permit for an open-pit coal mine in the Alberta Rockies. The Feb. 12 ruling will force Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault to reconsider an application made by two Alberta First Nations after a proper consultation period with the bands. Judge Richard Southcott said the Piikani and Stoney First Nations did not receive the consultations they were promised by the joint federal-provincial panel that reviewed the application from Benga Mining, depriving the communities of “procedural fairness.” Judge Southcott said the review panel that examined the Grassy Mountain proposal near Crowsnest Pass delivered its report to then-Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson on June 17, 2021. An accompanying news release promised both First Nations would be consulted prior to the minister’s decision....