The vote is complete

The vote is complete, and the permanent residents of Crowsnest Pass have spoken. Our community, steeped in history and shaped by the coal beneath its ground, has reaffirmed its deep connection to the industry that built it. I’ll admit, I was surprised by how contentious and even triggering this vote became for those outside our community. As a council, our goal was to determine whether the permanent residents of Crowsnest Pass wanted us to advocate for our right to mine coal. In many ways, it stands as one of the most democratic actions I’ve taken as a councillor.

When we run for council, we do so on specific mandates. I ran as a pro-coal candidate because I believe in coal mining as a vital industry for our community. Representing the will of the people is at the heart of our role, and this vote reinforces that coal mining is an issue worth fighting for on behalf of Crowsnest Pass.

This community has changed significantly over the years. There are more young families here than I can remember in a long time. It raises the question: did these families relocate here because they can work remotely and were drawn to the mountain beauty of this region? Or were they drawn here by employment opportunities with Elk Valley Resources and potentially Northback? While I don’t have a definitive answer, the overwhelming “yes” in this vote suggests the latter is more likely.

This wasn’t a close 51:49 vote; it was an overwhelming vote of 72% in favour by 54% of the people who live here.

Now that the community has expressed its strong support, it’s up to the council to advocate for this industry, ensuring its continued presence in Crowsnest Pass and Alberta as a whole. We need to move past the hysteria and fear-mongering perpetuated by anti-resource groups. Instead, it’s time for environmentalists to educate themselves about the realities of modern mining practices. Mining today is not what it was decades ago. It’s safer, more sustainable, and designed to coexist with environmental stewardship.

This vote presents an opportunity for the community to unite and strive for a balanced future. Crowsnest Pass can embrace its dual identity: as a stunning recreational corridor and as a hub for cutting-edge, modern mining. These two facets of our identity are not mutually exclusive; they can and should complement one another.

It’s worth noting that this vote is non-binding. It holds no sway over provincial or federal reviews or decisions. However, it sends a powerful message to current and future leadership about what the majority in this community values. This expression of support is a declaration not just to local officials, but to the rest of the country that Northback has our social licence to operate.

Well done, Crowsnest Pass. By exercising your democratic right, you’ve ensured that your voice will no longer be overshadowed by louder, more radical voices that don’t represent the true will of our permanent residents. This vote is a reminder that the permanent residents of Crowsnest Pass are committed to shaping their future, a future that honours their heritage while embracing modern possibilities.

We’ve been heard, and we will continue to be heard. Now is the time to work together, advocate for responsible development, and elevate this community to its full potential. Whether through recreation or industry, the Crowsnest Pass can thrive in ways that benefit everyone. The journey is just beginning, but this vote marks an important step forward.

I want to end this by thanking Crowsnest Headwaters. Your third-party advertising and your condescension toward the people in this community did what all the advocacy in the world could not: you united the permanent residents of the Crowsnest Pass. Perhaps you should now apologize to the citizens who believe in responsible resource extraction for besmirching them to our neighbours and for your hollow “apologies” on their behalf. Perhaps you will now keep your histrionics in your own echo chamber.