Calling for Brian Jean's Resignation

Water For Food Spokesperson Chris Spearman says Energy Minister Brian Jean Must Step Down

I decided to “lose the beard” for a better look at the picture of confidence. Great eh? Photo by Greg Southam/Postmedia

Albertans expect transparency and honesty from our Government Ministers.

Sadly, on the coal file, especially regarding the Grassy Mountain project, we aren't getting that.

Despite being deemed canceled, and recorded as such on the Department of Energy’s website several years ago, after the project’s rejection by the Joint Federal Review Panel, and three unsuccessful court challenges, Minister Jean has recently declared Grassy Mountain to be an “advanced project”.

This came out of nowhere, with no clear rationale. Certainly not transparent. More inventive than honest perhaps?

Now, Minister Jean is claiming that Grassy Mountain won’t affect our downstream water supply because it can get all the water it needs from ponds in the old, abandoned Grassy Mountain mine site.

But here’s the truth: he is again being inventive … loose with facts.

The small ponds on the property might provide enough water for the exploratory drilling program currently under review by the Alberta Energy Regulator, should they approve it. But that's just test hole drilling.

An actual mine would suck up a ton more water. Documents filed by Benga/Northback attest to this reality. They reported they would need 558,722 m3 of water from York Creek, the Crowsnest River, and a proposed new allocation from water reserved for local farms and communities when the Oldman Dam was built. It would be used year round.

What’s left will end up contaminated with selenium and other chemicals. So, goodbye to clean, potable water and to the native trout.

This is why the joint Alberta-federal expert panel said no to the original mine proposal in the first place. Nothing has changed.

This latest creative spin from Brian Jean’s office is nothing short of a joke. Coal mines use a lot of water, year-round, far more than small, deadwater ponds could ever provide.

Our Minister of Energy is once again being disingenuous.

Albertans need someone who will be honest and transparent with us. We need an energy minister we can have confidence in.

Brian Jean must step down.