Elmeligi and Miyashiro respond to coal mine pollution study
Sarah Elmeligi, Alberta New Democrat Shadow Minister for Environment and Protected Areas, and Rob Miyashiro, Alberta New Democrat MLA for Lethbridge-West, issued the following statements in response to a recent study on coal mine pollution in Alberta rivers:
“Earlier this week, government scientists released a report confirming what Albertans already knew: coal mines are polluting our water. Pollutants like selenium and nickel are not only a threat to how ecosystems function, but they're a threat to everything that consumes water downstream—cattle, plants, wildlife, and everyday Albertans. This is a risk we simply cannot take.
“Time and time again, this government fails to do its job when it comes to protecting Alberta’s environment and holding polluters accountable. Even when their own scientists raise the alarm, they look the other way.
“Access to clean drinking water is a basic human right, one that this UCP government continuously fails to protect.”
- Sarah Elmeligi, Alberta New Democrat Shadow Minister for Environment and Protected Areas
“This report confirms what we already know about how coal mining affects Southern Alberta’s water and wildlife. Even decades after these mines closed, dangerous levels of contaminants like selenium and nickel are still polluting our rivers, threatening endangered trout, other wildlife, and the people who rely on clean water downstream.
“This is precisely why Albertans have been crystal clear with this government: they do not want coal mining in the Rocky Mountains. Yet the UCP government refuses to listen and continues to choose foreign coal companies over Albertans.
“Albertans can make their voices heard and tell this UCP government what they think about coal mining in the Rockies by visiting ProtectOurMountains.ca.”
- Rob Miyashiro, MLA for Lethbridge-West
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