To say that the UCP govt has "reversed its plans to expand coal mining in the Rocky Mountains" is highly inaccurate. The 11 cancelled leases =1,854 hectares, or 0.13% of the area leased by the UCP since the Coal Policy was rescinded. 1/n https://globalnews.ca/news/7584521/alberta-cancels-coal-leases-foothills-rockies/

Moreover, it has not stood down its application to have the court toss out a request for a judicial review of its decision to revoke the Coal Policy, on the grounds of "no consultation" with the public or First Nations. 2/n

This looks like a move to quell the fire of opposition that has arisen in the SW corner of the province against coal mining on the eastern slopes, ignited by the propose Grassy Mountain open pit mine. (That's the region where the 11 cancelled leases were located.) 3/n

I think the govt is mistaken if it believes that the cancellation of these 11 leases will demobilize a public that now understands what is at stake with coal mining on the eastern slopes--a policy that the govt has by no means "reversed." 4/4