Danielle Smith says coal referendum impossible after promising it was possible
Premier Danielle Smith announced last Wednesday that a citizen-led referendum on Alberta coal mining will not appear on October’s ballot, clarifying that her previous promise to add it if enough signatures were collected should not be mistaken for a commitment.
The petition, delivered by musician and rancher Corb Lund after organizers gathered thousands of signatures, reportedly failed to overcome an unexpected obstacle: a deadline that already existed when Smith was encouraging Albertans to sign it.
Political observers praised the government’s evolving approach to democracy, in which citizens are invited to participate in public consultations right up until their opinions become administratively inconvenient.
Smith said the proposal will instead proceed through a legislative review process, where controversial ideas traditionally go to enjoy a long, peaceful retirement.
At press time, Alberta officials confirmed the referendum question had been successfully protected from the voters.
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