A grassroots movement in Alberta is gaining traction as the Water Not Coal petition seeks to halt new coal mining projects in the environmentally sensitive eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains. With over 200,000 signatures collected, organisers fear that the question may be omitted from the upcoming referendum this October, despite assurances from Premier Danielle Smith that citizen-led petitions would be considered.
Growing Concerns Over Environmental Impact
The Water Not Coal initiative, spearheaded by rancher and country musician Corb Lund, is specifically targeting two coal mining proposals: Northback Holdings’ Grassy Mountain project and Valory Resources’ Blackstone mine. Lund and other advocates argue that these projects pose a significant threat to the delicate ecosystems and vital water sources that feed into several major river systems, including the Athabasca, Oldman, South Saskatchewan, North Saskatchewan, Peace, and Red Deer rivers.
Lund recently delivered the petition to Elections Alberta, which now has a 21-day window to confirm the signatures. If validated, the government would be compelled to either legislate a ban on new coal mining or include the issue in a provincewide referendum. However, Premier Smith has indicated that the petition must undergo a committee review process first, which could delay its appearance on the ballot, a scenario that Lund and his supporters find unacceptable.
Government Response and Public Skepticism
Premier Smith, while acknowledging the petition’s significance, has stated that it requires further assessment before being included on the referendum ballot. Lund has expressed frustration over this bureaucratic hurdle, asserting, “Now she’s pretending that, through some technicality, she’s not going to put it on the referendum. She knows that she can put whatever she wants on a referendum—because she’s done it 10 times in a row.”
The sentiment among petitioners is one of cautious optimism. Lund has previously voiced doubts about the government’s commitment to act on the petition, yet he remains resolute. “We fully expect to be on the referendum if our signatures are verified. Not only do we expect to be on the referendum, but we expect our question to be used verbatim,” he stated.
Historical Context of Coal Policy in Alberta
Alberta’s coal policy has been a contentious issue for several years. In 2020, the United Conservative Party (UCP) removed longstanding protections against open-pit coal mining in the eastern slopes, leading to public outcry and protests. Following intense backlash, the UCP reinstated these protections and ceased the sale of exploration leases, reflecting the province’s ongoing struggle to balance economic development with environmental stewardship.
Why it Matters
The outcome of the Water Not Coal petition could have lasting implications for both Alberta’s environment and its economy. Halting new coal mining operations in such a critical watershed not only aligns with the desires of many concerned citizens but also speaks to broader issues of climate change and sustainable resource management. As Alberta grapples with its energy future, the referendum will serve as a litmus test for public sentiment on environmental protection versus resource extraction, shaping the region’s ecological landscape for generations to come.
