Latest news with #Nenshi
Hamilton Spectator
6 days ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Alberta government slammed for incompetence as pays out $143M in coal policy reversal
EDMONTON - Alberta is paying out more than $140 million to end one of five lawsuits launched against it over its coal mining policies. A notice published online by Atrum Coal dated last week says the company has agreed to end its lawsuit and surrender its land back to the province in exchange for the payment. The company's notice says it received just under $137 million last week, and will receive another $6 million after it completes some reclamation work. It says the settlement proceeds will be distributed to shareholders. Atrum, which had initially sought more than $3.5 billion from the province, is one of two companies suing the province that announced settlements were reached last month. The other, Evolve Power, has yet to share details and in its own notice last month said its settlement had only been agreed to in principle and that terms were still being finalized. The company's notice said it expected to have an agreement finished in September. Atrum's payout drew criticism Wednesday, with Opposition NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi saying in a statement that Albertans should be outraged. 'Taxpayers are on the hook for nearly $150 million directly as a result of this government's flip-flopping on their coal policy,' Nenshi said. 'This money could have been used for teachers, nurses, schools or hospitals. Instead, it's going into the pockets of shareholders and directors of a coal company.' Stephen Legault, an Alberta-based senior manager with the advocacy group Environmental Defence, called the payout 'a phenomenal waste of taxpayers' money.' 'If the (United Conservative) government hadn't first rescinded (its coal policy) and then flip-flopped on a moratorium on new mining projects in response to demands by Albertans, we wouldn't be extorted to protect our headwaters from coal mining,' Legault said in a statement Wednesday. 'Every decision (Energy Minister Brian Jean) and Premier (Danielle) Smith make to bow to the interests of wealthy foreign coal mining companies means Alberta slips further and further behind the rest of the world in the energy transition.' Jean's office said in a statement that the government has no plans to lease the lands previously owned by Atrum again and the requirement placed on the company to complete reclamation work highlights the province's commitment to protecting the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains and Alberta's foothills. Atrum and Evolve are among five companies that are suing Alberta for a collective $16 billion. With Atrum's suit settled, Alberta could still be on the hook for over $12 billion. Evolve said in its statement of claim that it was seeking $1.75 billion. Four of the companies, including Evolve and Atrum, have argued that Alberta effectively expropriated their land when it suddenly reinstated its long-standing coal policy in 2022, putting new coal exploration and development projects on ice across much of the province. The policy was lifted less than two years prior, and companies had been encouraged at that time to buy land and leases for coal mining projects. Alberta lifted the coal policy again earlier this year in favour of a new rule system, and Smith said at the time that protecting taxpayers from a massive legal payout was something her government had in mind by lifting the policy. The fifth company suing Alberta, Northback Holdings — which in May had exploratory permits approved for its controversial Grassy Mountain project — is arguing that Alberta's regulatory process is flawed. Nenshi on Wednesday called on the government to publicly disclose the settlement it reached with Evolve and others if further settlements have been reached, but Jean's office said the details of the settlements remain privileged. 'That said, the Government of Alberta is working to conclude these matters fairly,' Jean's office said in an email. 'The outcome of these settlements will be consistent with Albertans' desires and best interests.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 23, 2025. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Edmonton Journal
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Edmonton Journal
Braid: Nenshi arrives on the legislature job with a powerful political cause
NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi finally has a legislature seat — and his big political issue. Article content Canada itself. Article content Article content Nenshi will take his ardent pro-Canada stance into the legislature in the fall, now that he's finally leader of the official Opposition. Article content Article content Nenshi says Smith is threatening to wreck both Alberta and Canada. He's astonished that she admitted to respecting separatists because she doesn't want her party to split. Article content 'Let's be clear, it doesn't matter whether Danielle Smith is a separatist,' Nenshi said in an interview. Article content 'She's acting like one. She's acting like one every single day, and she's taking our province toward separating from this country . . . Canada is a big, complicated, bruised and battered country, but it's also a great country, and we've got to stand up for it, because if we don't, who will? Article content Article content 'We've heard from business people across this province that they're not investing in Alberta anymore,' he said. Article content Article content 'They're not going to invest one dollar when they don't know what country they're investing in. Article content 'These sham panels that the premier is setting up will only lead to ruin for Alberta and lead to no good outcomes for anybody,' he added, referring to Smith's Alberta Next consultations. Article content 'I'm telling you right now, those are not separatists. Those are people who were unbelievably angry that the premier is doing this. Article content 'So we'll see if she shuts them up. We'll see if she gives them the mic. This is a sham.'
Global News
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Global News
Opposition NDP leader Naheed Nenshi sworn in as member of Alberta legislature
Opposition NDP leader Naheed Nenshi is officially a member of the Alberta legislature. The former Calgary mayor was one of three new MLAs to be sworn in following last month's byelections. Also sworn in was the NDP's Gurtej Singh Brar, who won the byelection in Edmonton-Ellerslie, and the United Conservative Party's Tara Sawyer, who won the byelection in Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills. Nenshi's byelection win in Edmonton-Strathcona came almost exactly a year after he won the party's leadership race to replace former premier Rachel Notley, whose former riding Nenshi now represents. 1:00 Naheed Nenshi acclaimed as Alberta NDP candidate for Edmonton-Strathcona Now that Nenshi has a seat in the legislature, he and United Conservative Premier Danielle Smith will face off in question period for the first time when the assembly resumes in October. Story continues below advertisement He says his party plans to keep its momentum going by hosting a series of town halls across the province over the summer to explore ways Albertans can help build a strong future for all Canadians within a united country. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'I want to thank the people of Edmonton-Strathcona for welcoming me so warmly and making me feel at home. I promise to be your No. 1 advocate,' Nenshi said in a statement after being sworn in Monday. 'And to all Albertans, whether it's jobs, affordability, public services or national unity, you deserve better and together we will achieve better.'
Calgary Herald
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
Braid: Nenshi arrives on the legislature job with a powerful political cause
NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi is launching a provincewide caucus initiative to connect with Albertans and stand up for Canada. The announcement was made in Edmonton on Monday, July 14, 2025. Shaughn Butts/Postmedia NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi finally has a legislature seat — and his big political issue. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Calgary Herald ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Calgary Herald ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Nenshi will take his ardent pro-Canada stance into the legislature in the fall, now that he's finally leader of the official Opposition. Nenshi blasted UCP Premier Danielle Smith over separatism at a news conference Monday, before he was officially sworn in as the MLA for Edmonton-Strathcona. That makes sense for the NDP. They don't always get traction with their blistering critiques of specific areas like health care. Your weekday lunchtime roundup of curated links, news highlights, analysis and features. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again Separatism is emotional and universal. Polls show a large majority of Albertans want nothing to do with it. Nenshi offers himself as their full-throated patriotic champion. Nenshi says Smith is threatening to wreck both Alberta and Canada. He's astonished that she admitted to respecting separatists because she doesn't want her party to split. 'Let's be clear, it doesn't matter whether Danielle Smith is a separatist,' Nenshi said in an interview. 'She's acting like one. She's acting like one every single day, and she's taking our province towards separating from this country . . . 'Canada is a big, complicated, bruised and battered country, but it's also a great country, and we've got to stand up for it, because if we don't, who will? 'We've heard from business people across this province that they're not investing in Alberta anymore,' he said. 'They're not going to invest one dollar when they don't know what country they're investing in. 'These sham panels that the premier is setting up will only lead to ruin for Alberta and lead to no good outcomes for anybody,' he added, referring to Smith's Alberta Next consultations. Nenshi figures most people signing up to participate are furious with Smith. 'I'm telling you right now, those are not separatists. Those are people who were unbelievably angry that the premier is doing this. 'So we'll see if she shuts them up. We'll see if she gives them the mic. This is a sham.' Nenshi and Smith, onetime friends at U of C, have quite a few mutual grudges.
Hamilton Spectator
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Opposition NDP leader Naheed Nenshi sworn in as member of Alberta legislature
EDMONTON - Opposition NDP leader Naheed Nenshi is officially a member of the Alberta legislature. The former Calgary mayor was one of three new MLAs to be sworn in following last month's byelections. Also sworn in was the NDP's Gurtej Singh Brar, who won the byelection in Edmonton-Ellerslie, and the United Conservative Party's Tara Sawyer, who won the byelection in Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills. Nenshi's byelection win in Edmonton-Strathcona came almost exactly a year after he won the party's leadership race to replace former premier Rachel Notley, whose former riding Nenshi now represents. Now that Nenshi has a seat in the legislature, he and United Conservative Premier Danielle Smith will face off in question period for the first time when the assembly resumes in October. He says his party plans to keep its momentum going by hosting a series of town halls across the province over the summer to explore ways Albertans can help build a strong future for all Canadians within a united country. 'I want to thank the people of Edmonton-Strathcona for welcoming me so warmly and making me feel at home. I promise to be your No. 1 advocate,' Nenshi said in a statement after being sworn in Monday. 'And to all Albertans, whether it's jobs, affordability, public services or national unity, you deserve better and together we will achieve better.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 14, 2025. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
