Premier Danielle Smith has defended the Alberta government’s decision to lift a moratorium on coal exploration and development in the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains, citing the risk of costly lawsuits from coal companies, even as she was slammed by NDP leader Naheed Nenshi for “incompetence.”
The move, which has drawn sharp criticism from opposition leaders and conservationists, comes after years of policy reversals on the controversial issue.
But speaking to reporters Tuesday, Smith said the province acted in the interest of taxpayers, pointing to lawsuits filed by five coal companies seeking more than $15 billion
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