Corb Lund's Petition Against Coal Mining Faces Setback as Elections Alberta Rejects Signatures

📅 1 week ago

Corb Lund's petition to halt new coal mining in Alberta has been rejected by Elections Alberta, prompting potential legal action as he questions the verification process used.

EDMONTON — Country music artist Corb Lund remains steadfast in his campaign against new coal mining operations in Alberta, despite facing a significant setback with the rejection of his petition aimed at halting such activities. Lund's petition, spearheaded by his advocacy group Water Not Coal, was dismissed by Elections Alberta, which cited issues with the verification of signatures collected during the drive. Lund expressed his determination to continue the fight, stating, "We’re not going anywhere on this," and hinted at the possibility of seeking a judicial review in the near future.
The rejection of the petition, which occurred last week, marks the latest hurdle for Lund in his ongoing battle against coal mining along the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains, a struggle he has pursued for over six years. He argues that the environmental risks associated with coal mining, particularly concerning water resources, far outweigh any potential benefits. Lund criticized the government's shifting policies and what he referred to as regulatory "rug pulls," leading to his frustration with the process. "It makes me question to what extent we’re living in a democracy," he added.
To compel action from Premier Danielle Smith’s government, Lund required nearly 178,000 valid signatures. While he claims to have submitted over 207,000 names, Elections Alberta reported that only 196,000 were deemed valid after a random verification process. The agency estimated that approximately 172,000 signatures were confirmed, leading to the petition's failure. Lund has raised concerns regarding the verification methods employed by Elections Alberta, stating that individuals were contacted by unidentified numbers and asked for personal information without proper identification from the callers.
In response, Elections Alberta defended its verification process, asserting that signatures were rejected if the provided phone numbers or email addresses were not operational. The agency clarified that no signatures were invalidated solely based on a lack of response from individuals during the verification calls. As it stands, the petition effort was the first to undergo stringent checks following a recent breach of the provincial voting list, which has prompted heightened scrutiny for all signature verification processes.
Lund’s petition was rendered somewhat irrelevant even before its rejection, as Premier Smith had already indicated that there was insufficient time to process any successful petition for inclusion on the upcoming October 19 referendum ballot, which is set to address ten different questions. When asked about Lund’s failed petition, Smith noted that her government has taken steps to address concerns regarding coal mining by repurchasing leases and freehold coal titles, effectively protecting 400 square kilometers of the eastern slopes.
She also mentioned a ban on mountaintop removal and open-pit mining for future developments, alongside the implementation of technology aimed at better water management. "There may be more that we can do," Smith stated, emphasizing her administration’s commitment to ongoing discussions about coal mining regulations in the province.

Related Posts