Canada, U.S to launch investigation into coal mining pollution [Video]

LETHBRIDGE, ALTA. –

Canada and the United States will be reviewing the downstream impact of pollution caused by B.C. coal mining.

Indigenous groups and government agencies south of the border have pushed for Canada to address coal mining pollution flowing downstream into Montana and Idaho.

The work is being done under the International Joint Commission.

“We’ve been working on this issue with the water pollution in the Elk River, coming into the Kootenai River and into our aboriginal fishing grounds and use areas for over a decade,” said Tom McDonald, chairman of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.

Initially, the Canadian government declined to join any sort of investigation.

But Canada eventually agreed to the coal mining review after pressure from American senators and officials.

“All along the United States government had been in support of the involvement of the IJC. The delay was on the part of Canada,” said Kathryn Teneese, Ktunaxa …