No Coal Petition for Alberta Country Music Artist, Corb Lund
Bill 14 diminishes the Eastern Slopes Coal Ban petition, by Laura Laing
LETHBRIDGE, AB - DECEMBER 12, 2025 – Corb Lund announced today that Elections Alberta has notified him that his previously approved citizen petition initiative against coal mining in Alberta’s Rocky Mountains has been cancelled.
“This morning, we were informed that our approved application for our petition to prohibit any new coal mining in the Rockies has been retroactively cancelled. We will now need to reapply under new, more stringent regulations,” says Lund.
Lund says that just two weeks ago, Premier Danielle Smith stated her support of citizen-initiated referendums.
“Our Premier said that it is really important that people have their say and that the rules are out there, and that she will watch with great interest,” says Lund. “So I guess the rules weren’t ‘out there.’”
“This kind of behaviour by government is disappointing and fundamentally unfair, but we will continue and reapply for a new petition and fill out as many forms as we have to, to allow the voices of Albertans to be heard to stop coal mining in the headwaters of Alberta’s Rocky Mountains.”
Lund says momentum for the citizens’ petition against coal has been gaining support across Alberta, and although signatures and canvassers cannot be gathered at this time, he encourages Albertans to express their interest in becoming involved at the newly launched website: https://www.coalpetition.ca.
MORE INFO:
Bill 14, introduced by Alberta Justice Minister Mickey Amery, proposes significant changes to citizen referendum rules and the powers related to citizen initiative petitions. Key changes include:
Transferring decision-making power over citizen initiative petitions from the independent Chief Electoral Officer to the Justice Minister, raising concerns about separation of powers and potential partisan influence.
Removing the Chief Electoral Officer’s ability to refer citizen initiative questions to court, consolidating that power with the minister and cabinet.
Restricting political party names to prevent use of certain words associated with other parties, aiming to reduce voter confusion.
Quashing any citizen initiative petitions not issued before the amendments take effect, but allowing resubmission within 30 days without an additional fee.
The bill has faced criticism from the Chief Electoral Officer and opposition parties for undermining democratic processes and the independence of Elections Alberta. Amendments were made to address some concerns, but debates continue regarding the balance of power and the impact on democratic trust.
STATEMENT FROM CORB LUND:
“Two weeks ago, Premier Smith said, “I support citizen-initiated referenda - I think it’s really important that people have their say. So the rules are out there and I’ll watch with great interest.” Earlier this week her office echoed that.
This morning we were informed that our approved application for our petition to prohibit any new coal mining in the Rockies has been retroactively cancelled. We will now need to reapply under new more stringent regulations. Apparently, the rules weren’t ‘out there’ after all.
This kind of disingenuous behaviour by the government is disappointing. But as frustrating as this is, we will continue in this fight, reapply for a new petition and fill out as many forms as we have to if it stops coal mining in the headwaters of our rivers.
Meanwhile, Premier Smith said a few days ago on the Ryan Jespersen show that we should take yes for an answer and that the government has addressed the coal issue.
But Mine 14 near Grand Cache has been approved after having had its public hearing unilaterally cancelled by the AER. Grassy Mountain is in the application process. As is the Blackstone mine, which is in the Bighorn region in the headwaters of the North Saskatchewan River, which feeds the city of Edmonton. And the Aries project near the Ram River, is waiting in the wings.
Albertans want no new coal mines of ANY KIND in the Eastern Slopes of our Rockies, full stop. This is why we are (re)launching our petition.
I thank everyone who has reached out in support of this citizen petition against coal and encourage you to visit at the newly launched website
https://www.coalpetition.ca to express your interest
Sincerely,
Corb Lund
Mrs David Moretta openly solicits comments and opinions complementary to her own. The rest of us can just pound sand.
Come on Alberta let’s send this mother south of the 49th to be with her chosen people.
I personally commit to paying her moving expenses if she leaves by the end of this year.
Unfortunately. It's a gong show.