The Water Not Coal campaigners are expressing grave concerns that a pivotal question regarding coal mining in Alberta’s eastern Rocky Mountain slopes may not appear on the upcoming October referendum ballot. Premier Danielle Smith has indicated that if a sufficient number of signatures are gathered on citizen-led petitions, the matter will be put to a vote. However, with over 200,000 signatures already collected, organisers are now anxious about the potential delay in the process.
Growing Concerns Over Coal Mining
The Water Not Coal petition specifically targets two significant coal mining projects: Northback Holdings’ Grassy Mountain venture and Valory Resources’ Blackstone mine. The petition seeks to prevent any approvals from provincial regulators for these developments, which campaigners argue threaten the vital water sources for much of Alberta.
Corb Lund, a prominent rancher and country music artist who spearheaded the petition, asserts that coal mining poses a serious risk to the entire Eastern Slopes region. He emphasises the importance of protecting the headwaters that nourish the Athabasca, Oldman, South Saskatchewan, North Saskatchewan, Peace, and Red Deer river systems. Lund recently delivered the petition to Elections Alberta, which now has 21 days to validate the signatures.
The Path to a Referendum
In order for the petition to move forward, a minimum of 178,000 verified signatures is required. Should this threshold be met, Premier Smith’s government would be compelled to either enact legislation banning new coal mining or present the issue to the public in a province-wide referendum. However, during her recent radio show, Smith suggested that the petition must undergo a committee process before it can be included on the ballot, a move that campaigners believe may sideline their efforts this autumn.
“They’re using technicalities to avoid putting this on the referendum,” Lund remarked, voicing his frustration. He added, “She knows that she can put whatever she wants on a referendum — because she’s done it 10 times in a row.”
A History of Coal Policy in Alberta
Alberta has grappled with its coal mining policies for several years. In 2020, the United Conservative Party (UCP) controversially lifted long-standing restrictions that had protected the eastern slopes from open-pit mining, leading to the issuance of new exploration leases. This decision sparked significant public outcry, resulting in the reinstatement of protections and a halt to further lease sales.
Despite the setbacks, Lund remains optimistic. “We fully expect to be on the referendum if our signatures are verified,” he stated, insisting on the importance of presenting their question verbatim to voters. Alberta Justice has assured that Elections Alberta will verify the signatures by July 1, leaving the outcome of the petition hanging in the balance.
Why it Matters
The outcome of the Water Not Coal campaign could have far-reaching implications for Alberta’s environmental landscape and water management policies. As climate change continues to spotlight the need for sustainable resource management, the decision to permit or prohibit new coal mining operations will directly impact the health of critical watersheds and the communities that rely on them. With public sentiment increasingly leaning towards environmental conservation, the forthcoming referendum may serve as a pivotal moment in Alberta’s ongoing struggle to balance economic interests with ecological integrity.
