Concerns are mounting among the proponents of the Water Not Coal petition that a significant question regarding coal mining on Alberta’s eastern slopes may not appear on the upcoming referendum ballot this October. Organised by a coalition of concerned citizens and led by Alberta rancher and country musician Corb Lund, the petition has gathered over 200,000 signatures urging the provincial government to halt new coal mining projects in the crucial foothills region, which is vital for the province’s water supply.
Growing Concerns Over Coal Mining
The Water Not Coal petition specifically targets two proposed coal mining projects: Northback Holdings’ Grassy Mountain and Valory Resources’ Blackstone mine. These projects, according to Lund and other advocates, pose a substantial threat to the ecological integrity of the Eastern Slopes and the headwaters of significant river systems, including the Athabasca, Oldman, South Saskatchewan, North Saskatchewan, Peace, and Red Deer rivers.
Last week, Lund submitted the petition to Elections Alberta, which now has a 21-day window to validate the signatures. If at least 178,000 signatures are confirmed as valid, Premier Danielle Smith’s government will be compelled to either enact a law to prohibit new coal mining initiatives or present the issue for public vote in a provincewide referendum.
Premier Smith’s Position
During her recent radio show, Premier Smith indicated that the petition must undergo a committee process prior to being considered for a referendum. This bureaucratic requirement has raised alarms among petitioners, who fear that it will effectively push the question off the ballot for this fall. Lund expressed his dissatisfaction with the Premier’s stance, suggesting that she is using procedural technicalities to sidestep the referendum.
“Now she’s pretending that, through some technicality, she’s not going to put it on the referendum,” Lund stated. “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 Shifts
Alberta’s coal policy has been a contentious issue for several years. The United Conservative Party (UCP) dismantled longstanding protections for the Eastern Slopes in 2020, opening the door for open-pit coal mining by issuing new leases. This move sparked widespread public backlash, leading the UCP to reinstate protections and cease the sale of exploration leases.
Despite previous assurances, Lund remains sceptical about whether Smith’s government will act on the petition if it achieves the necessary signatures. However, he remains resolute in his belief that the issue must be placed on the ballot, stating, “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 Path Ahead
According to Alberta Justice, Elections Alberta will complete its validation process no later than July 1, and the outcome will determine the next steps. If the signatures are confirmed, it would mark a significant moment for the grassroots movement advocating for environmental stewardship in Alberta, especially in light of the ecological risks associated with coal mining in these sensitive areas.
Why it Matters
The implications of this petition extend beyond local concerns about coal mining; they reflect a broader struggle over resource management and environmental protection in Canada. As Alberta wrestles with its energy policies, the outcome of this referendum could set a precedent for future resource development initiatives, shaping the province’s ecological landscape and the health of its water systems for generations to come. The voices of those advocating for water preservation resonate deeply, illustrating the critical intersection of environmental advocacy and democratic participation in shaping policy.