Alberta musician Corb Lund is leading a citizen initiative petition aimed at stopping coal mining in the Alberta Rockies, including the proposed Grassy Mountain, Crowsnest Pass and Blackstone projects.
Lund said his opposition is not partisan. “I have no affiliation or affection for any of the parties,” he said. “Just because there’s a resource there doesn’t always mean it’s a good idea. It doesn’t mean every project is a good idea.”
The country artist first became involved six years ago after family members who are beef producers west of Nanton asked him to amplify their concerns about the provincial government rescinding the Lougheed-era coal policy, which opened roughly 1,500 square kilometres of the Foothills to mining.
At the time, Lund said he knew little about the issue, so he did extensive research, meeting with coal company CEOs, government ministers, conservationists, ranchers and fishermen.
“I came to the conclusion that it’s a terrible idea. It’s potentially harmful to our water and the mountains, and the economic benefit is really, really small,” he said.
Lund said some projects, including Grassy Mountain, have been denied by both the Alberta Energy Regulator and the federal government, and subsequent court appeals were rejected. Companies have reapplied, prompting Lund to act.
“How many times do Albertans have to say no to the same coal mine?” he said. “We’ve tried rallies, media campaigns, meetings with government — nothing has worked. Now we’re doing a petition to get legislation or a referendum and shut them down for good.”
He said the issue affects communities downstream, including Lethbridge, where water is used for drinking and food processing. He cited selenium contamination from coal mines in B.C.’s Elk Valley as a warning.
“Even a handful of jobs and a low royalty rate is not worth the billions taxpayers may have to pay for cleanup,” he said. “The government and coal companies want these mines, but the people don’t.”
The petition asks Albertans to vote on whether the government should prohibit, through legislation, all coal exploration and mining activities within the Eastern Slopes of the Rocky Mountains, except for mines already in production as of Jan. 1, 2026. It specifically names Northback Holdings’ Grassy Mountain Project and Valory Resources’ Blackstone Project, as well as any expansions of producing mines.
Thousands of volunteers have already signed up to canvass for signatures, Lund said. To qualify for a referendum, the petition must collect 177,732 valid signatures. More information is available at waternotcoal.ca.
