Albertans Can’t Afford Nathan Neudorf
To the Editor :
Like many Lethbridge and Alberta residents, I couldn’t believe my eyes when I read MLA Nathan Neudorf’s remarks to the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce in the Lethbridge Herald ( January 30, 2025 ).
Did he really say : "so do you want to choose coal mining with higher than ever regulatory thresholds for any environmental infrastructures or do people want a 10 to 20% tax increase?”
In 2019, the UCP was elected to govern Alberta. MLA Neudorf was part of that government. The government immediately began negotiations with foreign coal companies to open up the Rocky Mountains and Eastern Slopes to coal mining. When the new government publicly announced it would rescind the 1976 Coal Policy, there was an immediate backlash from Albertans.
In 2021, the Alberta government acknowledged that they did not have the support or a mandate from Albertans and the government backed down.
Coal companies subsequently filed their lawsuits against the Alberta government ( taxpayers ) to recover costs and potential future lost profits.
In 2023, the UCP was re-elected without mentioning that they intended to open up the Rockies and Eastern Slopes to coal mining, and again without a mandate from Albertans to do so.
Now vast numbers of Albertans are justifiably angry again.
Alberta’s Minister of Affordability and Utilities and our city’s representative for the constituency of Lethbridge East seems to be saying that taxpayers must pay dearly for the mistakes of the governments that he was and is a member of.
The alternative is to let foreign owned coal companies destroy our mountains and pollute our rivers to access coal owned by Albertans, operating within lax environmental standards while paying some of the lowest royalty rates for coal in the world. Energy Minister Brian Jean stated that any new regulations would not apply to existing applications and coal projects, even ones that have yet to begin.
Mr. Neudorf, you were elected to represent the citizens of Lethbridge East. As a cabinet minister you are accountable to all Albertans. The public statement you made undermines the defence the Alberta Government may have to make at trial, possibly increasing the amount of financial compensation that may ultimately be owed to foreign owned coal companies.
If Mr. Neudorf really cared, he would represent the wishes of the people of Lethbridge. He would be speaking out against coal mining and advocating for immediate implementation of strong environmental standards. He would demand immediate implementation of the required legislation in the next session of the Alberta legislature.
If you aren’t prepared to do that, please resign.
Albertans can’t afford you.
Chris Spearman
Resident, M.D. Pincher Creek.
Nicely put Mr. Spearman, Brian Jean betrayed the trust by changing the coal legislation while people were making presentations to the Alberta Energy Regulator in Calgary. Mr. Jean stabbed everyone in the back with his "sellout" to Australian coal mining interests. I would guess the price would be a little higher than "20 pieces of silver"....Jean should resign, he's a liar and unfit for office.
Well said Mr. Spearman!! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼