Conservatives keeping quiet on plans for coal mining proposal

EDMONTON — The Conservative Party of Canada is not saying if an Erin O’Toole-led government would keep measures supported by the two other main parties that would increase scrutiny of open-pit coal mine proposals in Alberta’s Rocky Mountains.

“(The Conservative platform) ensures that we will meet our environmental and climate targets while ensuring we get Canadians back to work in every region and in every sector,” said an email from party spokesperson Mathew Clancy.

He was responding to questions from The Canadian Press about whether victorious Conservatives would keep measures announced under the previous Liberal government on coal mining — a hot topic in Alberta.

Those measures include promises of federal involvement in future environmental assessments of such projects and a warning that new thermal coal mines don’t fit with Canada’s climate-change goals.

The Liberals flatly turned down one such proposal — Riversdale Resources’ Grassy Mountain mine — saying it would cause unacceptable environmental impacts.

A spokesperson for the New Democrats said his party supports those positions.

Clancy’s response for the Conservatives doesn’t address them.

The words “coal” or “mining” also do not appear.