Singer Corb Lund has been approved to commence collecting signatures for a petition urging the Alberta government to enact a law prohibiting new coal mining in the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains. Elections Alberta officially greenlit this initiative on Monday. Lund, a prominent figure in the music industry with numerous Juno and Canadian Country Music Association accolades, resides in southern Alberta and has been an outspoken critic of coal mining. Expressing concerns about potential threats to the region’s land and water, Lund emphasized the importance of preserving the environment.
In a recent phone interview from Las Vegas, where he was performing, Lund highlighted his personal stake in the matter by stating, “I drink the water out of the Oldman River. My animals and my family rely on this water source. I am deeply rooted in rural Alberta, and my primary goal is to safeguard the purity of our water.” Lund’s quest to collect signatures for the petition will kick off once he addresses administrative tasks such as appointing a chief financial officer. The signature-gathering phase will span four months, during which Lund aims to amass approximately 178,000 signatures, equivalent to 10% of the votes cast in the last general election.
If successful, the legislature will consider passing a law to prohibit coal mining or opt for a province-wide referendum. Lund expressed confidence that the issue transcends political affiliations and will resonate with both urban and rural Albertans, fostering widespread support across the province.
This petition drive is part of a series of similar initiatives aimed at prompting governmental action on various issues, including recalling politicians and reaffirming Alberta’s position within the Confederation. Lund drew inspiration to launch his petition from Premier Danielle Smith’s government’s stance on coal mining. Premier Smith, when asked for her thoughts, humorously remarked, “Maybe he’ll write a song about me,” expressing her support for citizen-led referenda.
The tumultuous trajectory of Alberta’s coal policy in recent years has been marked by reversals and public outcry. The United Conservative government initially rescinded a longstanding coal policy in 2020 to allow expanded mining on the eastern slopes. However, following public backlash, they reversed this decision in the subsequent year. The debate resurfaced in 2024 with the introduction of regulations banning new mines on these slopes but making exceptions for advanced projects like Grassy Mountain near Crowsnest Pass.