A controversial Alberta government decision that's unified ranchers, musicians, first nations and environmental groups continues to dominate conversations. And now, in part 2 of our investigative series Mining for the Truth, Jill Croteau looks at why some Albertans feel so betrayed.

The mining industry was aware that the Alberta coal mining policy was going to be rescinded long before the public did, information obtained by Global News has revealed.

The policy, created over 40 years ago, initially banned mining in millions of hectares of the Rockies and Foothills and was axed in the summer of 2020, meaning mine development is no longer restricted.

Opponents say it’s putting the cherished landscapes at risk of being destroyed.

In a presentation by Capital Investment Partners (CIP) to its investors, the 2019 Powerpoint revealed, “The Alberta government is in the process of changing the coal policy to allow more open-pit mining.”

CIP is an Australian firm that owns a handful of coal companies with a number of leases in the Rockies.

Former assistant deputy environment minister David Luff helped craft the coal policy with former premier Peter Lougheed in 1976, and told Global News the government betrayed the trust of Albertans.

“They weren’t meeting with Albertans. They were meeting with industry and making a decision to rescind the policy and that to me is morally and ethically wrong,” Luff said.

“The government needs to do what’s in best interests of Albertans, not in the narrow interests of a coal lobby group.”

Luff said he thinks the plan to remove the policy is shortsighted.

“The government says it considers the policy to be out of date. The whole premise of protecting water and the environment is more important now 45 years after the fact then it was back then,” Luff said.

Energy Minister Sonya Savage’s schedule was too busy to accommodate an interview, according to her press secretary. But her office did provide a statement, saying the minister said she’s listening to concerns and respects their perspectives.

“Environment and Parks Minister Jason Nixon and I are also considering other options to clarify government’s approach and demonstrate the stringent environmental protections that remain in place,” Savage said.

“We will continue to listen to the concerns of Albertans through this process.”

Savage said they won’t choose between protecting the land for future generations and providing economic opportunities.

“I need to be clear that the rescission of the 1976 coal policy does not — in any way — allow coal development to go unchecked,” Savage said. “What the Alberta government has adjusted is the process through which industry can acquire coal leases. The process is now the same as the one that applies to petroleum and natural gas leases — and we believe it is important to put these commodities on equal footing.