Update from the committee - September

September marked the Coal Policy Committee’s most significant milestone to date as we wrapped the final phase of the formal engagement process. Our last meeting took place on September 16 and the deadline for public submissions closed on September 19.

The committee was also pleased to undertake Indigenous engagement, building on Alberta Energy’s nation-to-nation engagement with Indigenous communities in Alberta. This included virtual engagement sessions and roundtables. In total, the committee engaged with more than 35 Indigenous communities and groups. These groups were invited to follow-up their verbal engagement sessions with more formal, written presentations to better inform and guide the committee’s considerations.

Additionally, committee member Natalie Charlton accepted an invitation to visit the Aseniwuche Winewak Nation on behalf of the committee to learn more about the effects of the local coal mine on their communities and their local environment.

As we compile and analyze all the advice and perspectives received from Albertans, the number and quality of submissions received is most gratifying, but also somewhat overwhelming. The response from Albertans has been exceptional. In addition to meetings and engagement sessions, we have received more than 1,000 email submissions in total and 124 technical submissions – 88 of which met the criteria for posting. The committee is committed to carefully assessing the advice received from Albertans from our extended engagement process.

To ensure we are able to devote the necessary attention to the input received, the committee was granted permission from the Minister of Energy to extend the deadline of the engagement report to match the deadline of our final report on November 15. The original deadline for the engagement report was October 15.

Again, the volume and quality of responses from Albertans has been extraordinary. The committee is honoured to have been entrusted with this process and we are excited to be able to present our recommendations to the Minister of Energy later this fall.