Renowned Alberta country music artist Corb Lund has taken a significant step in his long-standing environmental advocacy by officially launching a citizen initiative petition aimed at permanently banning coal mining activities along the iconic Eastern Slopes of the Rocky Mountains.
The Petition Drive Begins
Lund submitted his formal application to Elections Alberta on Wednesday, November 20, 2025, marking the start of a process that could lead to legislative action. The petition specifically calls on the Alberta government to prohibit by law any and all new coal mining activities, including the issuance of new approvals and permits, within the environmentally sensitive Eastern Slopes region.
While successful citizen initiative petitions can ultimately result in a provincial referendum, Lund expressed his preference for a more direct outcome. The Lethbridge resident stated he ideally wants the government to "do the right thing" before that stage and pass protective legislation without delay. "We expect the government to listen to Albertans and enact legislation that is sufficient and covers this," Lund emphasized during his announcement.
Five Years of Growing Opposition
Lund's opposition to coal mining in the region began five years ago when cattle producers first expressed their concerns to him about the potential effects mines would have on agricultural land and water quality. The artist has since become a prominent voice in the movement, dedicating what he estimates as 35-40% of his productive time over the past half-decade to opposing coal development along the Eastern Slopes.
"Albertans have been very clear — they just don't want any coal mines in the goddamn eastern slopes. Full stop," Lund declared, adding that his position isn't politically motivated. He specifically noted that he doesn't have affiliations with either the UCP or NDP and does not consider himself "anti-resource" in general.
The country musician admitted he would prefer to focus on his music career rather than political activism, but feels compelled to continue his efforts due to what he sees as critical threats to Alberta's agriculture, ranching traditions, and clean water sources.
Regulatory Rollercoaster and Government Action
The petition launch comes after what Lund describes as exhausting all other conventional methods to achieve protection for the Eastern Slopes. He and other advocates have organized events, participated in interviews, engaged in debates, and held town halls across the province.
The regulatory history surrounding coal mining in the region has seen significant developments. In 2021, both the Alberta Energy Regulator and the federal government rejected the Grassy Mountain project proposed by Benga Mining (now Northback Holdings). However, in a surprising reversal this past May, the AER approved an application by Northback to begin a coal exploration program at the same Grassy Mountain site.
"We're still fighting Grassy Mountain," Lund confirmed, highlighting the ongoing nature of the battle.
Earlier this year, the Alberta government removed its moratorium on new coal development. In a January letter, Alberta Energy and Minerals Minister Brian Jean directed the Alberta Energy Regulator to lift the ban, allowing previously stalled projects to proceed through the regulatory process.
Premier Danielle Smith defended the decision by citing the need to protect taxpayers from potential lawsuits from five coal companies that collectively claimed more than $15 billion in lost revenues and sunk costs. The province has since reached settlements with two companies at a combined cost of nearly $240 million.
Signature Challenge and Broad Support
The concept of using a citizen initiative petition came to Lund during a coal mining town hall in Fort Macleod this past June, when Premier Smith mentioned the mechanism to the crowd. "That kind of gave me the answer of what I should do next because everything we've tried so far hasn't been entirely effective," Lund explained.
He has since assembled a legal team and will deploy ground teams of canvassers to gather the required signatures across Alberta. For the petition to move forward, Lund must collect 177,752 valid signatures from adult Canadian citizens residing in Alberta within 120 days of Elections Alberta approving the petition.
"I do think it's doable, given the public sentiment," Lund expressed confidently, adding that he believes his team will exceed the minimum requirement.
The artist noted that support for banning coal mining in the Eastern Slopes transcends traditional divisions, bringing together urban and rural residents, First Nations communities, and people from across the political spectrum. "That's one of the strengths of this thing — it's kind of universal — and I'm kind of proud of that," he said.
The petition represents one of the most significant uses of Alberta's citizen initiative legislation in recent years and could potentially force the government to either address the issue legislatively or through a provincial referendum.
