Corb Lund Kicks Off Water Not Coal Petition Drive Across Alberta
Southern Alberta country music artist Corb Lund has officially launched a provincewide petition campaign aimed at halting all new coal exploration and mining activities along the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains. The campaign, titled "Water Not Coal," received formal approval last week from Alberta Chief Electoral Officer Gordon McClure, allowing Lund to begin collecting signatures.
Petition Targets Coal Mining Ban with Ambitious Signature Goal
Lund has until June 10 to gather 177,732 signatures, the threshold required for the petition to advance to the Alberta legislature or potentially trigger a provincewide vote. In a recent interview, Lund expressed confidence in surpassing this target, stating, "We want to really knock this thing out of the park and get way more than the 178,000 that we need." He emphasized the campaign's momentum, noting that thousands of volunteers have already signed up to canvass door-to-door and staff signing stations at supportive businesses.
Launch Events Scheduled in Multiple Alberta Cities
The petition campaign officially begins with a series of public events across the province:
- Friday in Lethbridge: Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden
- Saturday in Calgary: Alexandra Centre Society Dance Hall
- Sunday in Edmonton: Strathcona Orange Hall
At each location, Albertans will have the opportunity to sign the petition and hear directly from Lund and other supporters. Additional events are planned leading up to the June deadline.
Focus on Grassy Mountain Project and Water Protection
Lund's petition specifically aims to pressure the provincial government to reject the Grassy Mountain coal project proposed by Australia-based Northback Holdings in the Crowsnest Pass. Last year, the Alberta Energy Regulator approved Northback's applications for coal exploration, deep drilling, and temporary water diversion at the site. Lund argues that this poses a significant threat to southern Alberta's water supply, stating, "The water is the most important thing." He added, "We need to get a ton of signatures to show the government that they need to shut this stuff down once and for all."
Cross-Political Support Could Influence Upcoming Elections
Lund noted that support for the petition spans the political spectrum, potentially making coal mining a key issue for the United Conservative government in future elections. "If they don't fix it for good, they might get unelected if they're not careful," he warned. However, Lund insists his motivation is non-political, centered solely on environmental protection. "It's not about left or right," he explained. "It's just about protecting the water in southern Alberta."
With the campaign now underway, Lund and his volunteers are mobilizing to demonstrate widespread public opposition to new coal developments, hoping to secure a lasting ban through democratic means.
