Country singer Paul Brandt adds voice against proposed coal mines in Rockies

Another country music star from Alberta has voiced protest against proposed coal mines on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains.

Paul Brandt, who leads a committee on human trafficking set up by the Alberta government, has posted his concerns on Instagram in support of fellow musician Corb Lund.

Lund released a Facebook video earlier this week in which he calls the government’s move to open vast swaths of the area to industry short-sighted and a threat.

Brandt says in his post that Lund is right and the plan is a big — and bad — deal.

He is asking the provincial government to reconsider putting economic benefit ahead of long-term consequences that would devastate the land for generations to come.

Alberta’s United Conservative government has revoked a 1976 policy that kept coal mines out of the mountains and eastern slopes of the Rockies. 

One mine is under review and vast areas of the mountains have been leased for exploration. 

Lund says coal mines would endanger the ranching lifestyles of his neighbours as well as drinking water for millions downstream. 

He’s urging people to speak out and oppose open-pit coal mines in the Rockies.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 14, 2021.

The Canadian Press