Albertans left in the dark on coal company settlements

Environmental organizations, community groups, and concerned individuals call for full transparency from the provincial government

Calgary | Treaty 7 Territory, Homeland of the Métis Nation | July 15, 2025 — Since the provincial government lifted the moratorium on coal exploration and development on Jan. 15, 2025, Albertans have been told it was done for their protection from expensive lawsuits.¹ Five different companies and their subsidiaries have put cases before the courts, claiming over $15 billion total in damages. Behind closed doors, settlements have already been reached with two companies, and the public doesn’t know what was paid or on what terms.

In defence of rescinding the moratorium, the Premier stated that “if we do nothing, then we are told we’ll likely lose those cases and have to pay” during the coal town hall in Fort Macleod on June 11, 2025.² Lawyers have previously pointed out that the provincial government had multiple legal avenues to avoid paying the claims.³

On June 14, 2025, Atrum Coal Ltd. announced to its shareholders that it had reached a settlement with the Government of Alberta.⁴ Two days later, Evolve Power Ltd. (formerly Montem Resources Alberta Operations Ltd.) released a similar statement, both of which were absent of any specific details on the agreements.⁵

This information has not been publicly released through official government channels but was first reported in the news on July 3, 2025.⁶

The lack of transparency from the government during these proceedings is unacceptable, particularly following the findings of the Coal Policy Committee which emphasized the need to restore public trust and respect public interest.⁷ Albertans have made abundantly clear they are concerned about coal mining in the foothills and Rockies and expect to be informed.

It’s evident that rescinding the moratorium did not protect taxpayers as the government had proposed; the coal companies continued with their claims against the province even as their past coal applications were revived by the Alberta Energy Regulator.^{8, 9, 10, 11}

If taxpayer money is to be used to settle disputes with these companies, Albertans deserve to know what they are paying for.

We demand the Government of Alberta:

Make the settlement terms and amounts public.
Ensure that the settlements provide for the surrender of Crown coal leases and the transfer of freehold mineral rights to the Crown.
Ensure coal companies address any and all environmental liabilities acquired or assumed by past activities on the landscape.
Establish new protected areas that conserve Alberta’s headwaters and slopes.
Consult meaningfully with Indigenous Nations prior to any policy changes, to ensure no infringement on Treaty rights or impact to traditional territories.¹²
Respect public interest and include public input in any future coal policies, including the Coal Industry Modernization Initiative.

“Coal development threatens to pollute the rivers and lakes we count on for drinking water, fishing, and recreation. As physicians, we see firsthand the toll that environmental degradation takes on people’s health, especially in rural, Indigenous, and underserved communities. Keeping the public in the dark undermines both trust and public health.”

— Dr. Claire Barber, Calgary-based rheumatologist and volunteer with the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE)

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Signatories of this press release include: