Coal mining petition falls short of threshold, organizers consider court challenge

A citizen-led petition seeking to halt new coal mining projects in Alberta has failed to meet the number of verified signatures required to compel government action, according to Elections Alberta.

The agency said it verified about 172,000 signatures from nearly 196,000 submitted through the "Water Not Coal" petition. The total falls below the approximately 178,000 valid signatures required under Alberta's citizen initiative legislation.

Country musician Corb Lund, a spokesperson for the Water Not Coal campaign, said the group believes the verification process was invasive and flawed. Lund argued that thousands of Albertans who signed the petition may have been improperly disqualified and said organizers are considering seeking a judicial review. Under provincial rules, the group has 30 days to file a court application.

Elections Alberta said it stands by its verification process, describing it as rigorous. The agency said signatures were rejected where voter information could not be confirmed during the verification process.

Premier Danielle Smith said the provincial government has already responded to concerns about coal development by protecting about 400 square kilometres of land and will continue discussions on coal mining regulations.