Overview
- Elections Alberta posted its approval on Monday, authorizing the citizen-initiated campaign to seek a ban on new coal mining in the Rockies’ eastern slopes.
- To meet the legal threshold, organizers must submit 177,752 verified signatures, equal to 10% of ballots cast in the last general election.
- Corb Lund, a sixth-generation rancher on the Oldman River, says proposed mines threaten land and drinking water in the headwaters region.
- Lund says canvassing will start next week with door-to-door efforts, booths at public events, rallies, and a campaign website to recruit volunteers.
- Premier Danielle Smith has backed the referendum process, while Energy Minister Brian Jean questioned the effort and emphasized potential metallurgical coal royalties.