The Calgary Climate Hub expresses support and solidarity with the many volunteers, community members, and residents across Alberta who dedicated their time, energy, and resources to the Water Not Coal initiative and citizen petition process.
Mobilizing over 3,000 canvassers and volunteers for the protection of critical headwaters, this initiative represents an important moment in advancing environmental and civic participation towards a healthier future. Coal mining in the Eastern Slopes trades ecological and human health for profit, and poses serious and threatening risks to the natural habitats of wildlife species, clean water sources, and community health through toxic contamination and ecological degradation. These consequences are not contained, rather they have lasting effects on communities, landscapes, and species beyond its immediate area.
Citizen initiative petitions are intended to be a direct means of bringing forward important matters to the Alberta legislature and collectively contribute to the decision making process. This democratic process is one that demands transparency, civic dialogue, and accountability.
It is disappointing to witness the recent outcome of the petition within the referendum process and the eventual rejection of the petition by Elections Alberta. The process in considering non-answers to phone calls or emails to be evidence of non-compliant invalid signatures is worrisome in that it may result in incorrectly eliminating many engaged citizens' voices from the democratic debate. This process should be reconsidered, and a more accurate assessment of the validity of the signatures should be undertaken.
The Calgary Climate Hub is committed to building civic capacity amongst community members to better understand and engage with climate advocacy. We are fiercely reminded of the power of communities and neighbours coming together to support each other, our lands, and our waters, and we are eager to continue the necessary work of strengthening climate advocacy and democratic participation for current and future generations.