The mayor of Crowsnest Pass wants an immediate meeting with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith to discuss a controversial coal project his community has voted in favour of being built.
“The sooner the better,” said Crowsnest Pass Mayor Blair Painter. “Let’s do this.”
Residents of the S.W Alberta municipality, which saw its last coal mine close four decades ago, voted in the non-binding referendum on Monday (Nov. 25, 2024)
They were asked a simple question: “Do you support the development and operations of the metallurgical coal mine at Grassy Mountain?”
There was a 53.6 per cent turnout of eligible voters and 72 per cent of them voted “yes”.
The result isn’t binding and has no influence on regulatory or legal challenges – but many in the municipality are hoping the steelmaking coal project proposed by Australia-based Northback Holdings will provide a much needed economic boost.
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“Council at some point in the …