There must be an Independent Review Panel for the Fording River Extension Project

April 2, 2026

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• Coal
• Headwaters

Much like wildlife, pollution doesn’t recognize borders on a map. Although one jurisdiction may permit the environmental impacts of industry operating within their boundaries, too often those impacts extend past the project’s footprint, into other areas downwind or downstream where communities had no say in the regulatory process.

When this occurs at the provincial scale, where development in Alberta affects our neighbouring provinces and territories or vice versa, the federal government has a responsibility to help navigate these transboundary issues and ensure development is in the public interest of all Canadians.

Recent research from provincial scientists has demonstrated that contaminants from the coal mines in the Elk River Valley are crossing the Continental Divide and polluting Alberta’s Eastern Slopes region. These mines are currently seeking approvals from British Columbia to extend their operations, a jurisdiction which has yet to be successful at enforcing compliance and making coal companies operate within safe and acceptable water quality limits.

As it is well within their responsibilities, the federal government must take a more involved role. It is critical an independent panel of experts be established to review the Fording River Extension Project to ensure the process is robust, unbiased, transparent, and provides sufficient opportunities for public consultation.

To support that effort, on April 1, 2026, AWA sent a letter supporting Wildsight’s request to establish an independent review panel for the project to the Minister of Environment, Climate Change, and Nature. AWA’s letter can be read in full here.