Anti-coal petition by Corb Lund cancelled by newly introduced Bill 14

An anti-coal mining citizen initiative petition by country music singer Corb Lund has been cancelled, following the newly introduced Bill 14.

Last Friday, Lund said he was informed by Elections Alberta that his formerly approved petition initiative against coal mining in Alberta’s Rockies was 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,” Lund said.

Bill 14, introduced by Alberta Justice Minister Mickey Amery, proposes changes to citizen referendum rules and powers in relation to citizen initiative petitions.

This would transfer the abilities and decision-making powers from the chief electoral officer to the justice minister, alongside restricting the use of political party names, and rescinding any citizen initiative petitions not issued before the amendment took effect, but allowing resubmission within 30 days with no additional fee.

Two weeks earlier, Lund said Premier Danielle Smith showed her support for 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,” he said. “So I guess the rules weren’t ‘out there.’”

Lund said he will reapply the petition, despite the actions of the provincial government.

“This kind of disingenuous behaviour by the government is disappointing,” he said. “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.”

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He noted a recent broadcast where Smith discussed the topic.

“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,” Lund said. “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.”

Although the petition cannot gather signatures or canvassers at this time, he hopes Albertans get involved by expressing their interest.

“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,” he said. “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 www.coalpetition.ca to express your interest.”