Press Releases

Press Release - Results on the Non-Binding Vote of the Electors on a Question

For Immediate Release - November 26, 2024

The electorate of the Crowsnest Pass has spoken in favor of the Grassy Mountain Project, receiving a 71.73 % yes vote with approximately 54% of the electorate voting at our Non-Binding Vote of the Electors on a Question. The Crowsnest Pass has gone to the polls and made their decision, and your Mayor and Council will take your position forward to upper levels of government and through the regulatory process.

This vote was about hearing from and getting direction from the electorate, the people that voted us in and trusted us to represent the Crowsnest Pass. It is about clearly understanding what the community wants on the Grassy Mountain Project.

We are not the decision maker on this mine, and we are only one of the stakeholders, but we are an important one, we are the community that this mine primarily will draw from for housing, road, rail and the workforce. We hear from people on both sides of the issue regularly, and we know this is important to you and there are passionate voices on both sides, so it was important for us to know where the community stands, and you have spoken, and we have heard you and we will take what you have told us forward and continue to advocate for this mine.

Mayor and Council of the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass

The Vote of the Electors was done in accordance with the Local Authorities Elections Act which sets important election provisions including voter eligibility and rules of residence.

Non-Binding Vote of the Electors on a Question

At the September 10, 2024 Council Meeting Council passed a motion to hold a Non-Binding Vote of the Electors on a Question within the next 90 days.  The Vote of the Electors process is similar to a plebiscite or referendum and is held in accordance with the Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA). 

The question that will be asked on the ballot is “Do you support the development and operations of the metallurgical coal mine at Grassy Mountain.” 

Councillor Ward put forward the motion with the following comment “In the last 10 years Northback and its predecessors have attempted to develop a coal mine to the north of our community.  Many individuals, organizations and levels of government have expressed an opinion on whether the project should move forward or not and its time the residents of the Crowsnest Pass were taken into consideration on this issue.” 

Read his full statement in the Council Package of September 10, 2024, item 10a.

Residents of the Crowsnest Pass who meet the criteria in the LAEA Section 47 will be eligible to vote which includes being at least 18 years old, a Canadian citizen that resides in Alberta in Crowsnest Pass on voting day.  If a person has more than one residence, the rules that govern which one is their place of residence under the act is detailed in section 48.

The vote on a question will take place within the next 90 days.  Details on the voting dates and times will be released once confirmed.