Proof that Danielle Smith government censors its own science
The Narwal gets 600 pages of government documents exposing Alberta’s deliberate suppression of science showing selenium poisoning from coal mines.
By Ainslie Cruickshank, The Narwal, December 15, 2025
Senior Alberta government officials stalled the submission of a coal mine pollution study to a scientific journal and prevented the lead researcher from speaking publicly about his work, according to records The Narwhal obtained through a freedom of information request.
Emails included among more than 600 pages of documents show officials delayed government scientist Colin Cooke from submitting a study about selenium pollution in the McLeod River watershed for four months after it was complete. The records also indicate Cooke was not permitted to participate in at least two media interviews or speak to a community group about his research, raising concerns the province is muzzling scientists and restricting the public’s access to tax-payer funded research.
Read the full Narwhal exposé . . .
In these discouraging, overwhelming and maddening times, Crowsnest Headwaters offers a beacon of hope-there are sane people living in Alberta. Yes really!
An excellent article by Ainslie Cruikshank well worth sharing far and wide. It is pretty obvious that Danielle Smith's UCP government puts fossil fuel corporations above the interests of the Albertans they are supposed to be representing. The sooner this government is gone, the better.