A grassroots movement in Alberta is gaining traction as the Water Not Coal petition, spearheaded by country singer and rancher Corb Lund, has amassed over 200,000 signatures advocating against new coal mining in the eastern foothills of the Rocky Mountains. As the province gears up for a potential referendum this October, concerns are mounting that the pivotal question regarding coal mining may not appear on the ballot, raising fears about the future of water resources in the region.
Petition Drive and Key Projects
The Water Not Coal initiative aims to halt two proposed coal mining projects: Northback Holdings’ Grassy Mountain and Valory Resource’s Blackstone mine. The foothills of Alberta are critical to the region’s water supply, feeding major river systems such as the Athabasca, Oldman, South Saskatchewan, North Saskatchewan, Peace, and Red Deer. Lund emphasises that the integrity of these watersheds is at stake, asserting that coal mining poses a significant threat to this delicate ecosystem.
Last week, Lund delivered the petition to Elections Alberta, which now has a 21-day period to verify the signatures. To bring the issue to a referendum, at least 178,000 valid signatures are required; if confirmed, Premier Danielle Smith’s government will be compelled to either introduce legislation banning new coal mining or place the question on the ballot for a provincewide vote.
Government Response and Public Sentiment
Despite the overwhelming support for the petition, Premier Smith expressed on her radio show, Your Province Your Premier, that the petition must undergo a committee review before it can be included in the referendum. This statement has sparked frustration among campaign organisers, who feel it is a bureaucratic manoeuvre to sidestep their demands. “Now she’s pretending that, through some technicality, she’s not going to put it on the referendum,” said Lund, highlighting concerns over transparency and government accountability.
Lund noted that even with the signatures, he is cautious about the government’s commitment to act. However, he remains hopeful: “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.”
The Coal Policy Controversy
The backdrop to this movement is Alberta’s tumultuous relationship with coal mining policies. In 2020, the United Conservative Party (UCP) lifted long-standing protections against open-pit coal mining in the eastern slopes, leading to widespread public outcry. Following significant backlash, the government reinstated these protections and ceased issuing exploration leases, but the issue remains contentious.
Alberta Justice has stated that Elections Alberta will complete the validation process by July 1. As this date approaches, the stakes are high for both the environment and the local communities that depend on these water sources.
Why it Matters
The outcome of the Water Not Coal petition and the potential referendum could have lasting implications for Alberta’s environmental landscape and water security. With the province’s natural resources under scrutiny, this campaign encapsulates a broader struggle over sustainable development and environmental stewardship. A successful referendum could not only protect vital watersheds but also reshape the conversation around resource management in Alberta, ensuring that the voices of citizens are heard in decisions that affect their land and livelihoods.
