Nearly 52 per cent of Albertans would have voted in favour of a ban on new coal mining operations in the Eastern Slopes of the Rocky Mountains, according to a poll conducted by ThinkHQ between July 16 and 21, 2026. The online survey of 1,100 adult Albertans found that 25 per cent opposed the ban and 23 per cent were unsure. Support was highest in urban centres, with six in 10 Calgarians and nearly 55 per cent of Edmontonians in favour. In contrast, support was lower in northern (46 per cent) and southern (47 per cent) Alberta, while central Alberta showed the most division, with 29 per cent supporting a ban and nearly 40 per cent opposing it. Political affiliation also influenced views: nearly 85 per cent of Alberta NDP supporters favoured the ban, compared to 24 per cent of UCP supporters, with 41 per cent of UCP supporters opposing it. The poll results come amid ongoing advocacy by musician Corb Lund, who organized the Water Not Coal petition that gathered about 207,000 signatures, though Elections Alberta validated only 172,088 — falling short of the threshold for a referendum. Lund has since filed a judicial review application in the Alberta Court of King’s Bench, arguing the decision was unreasonable and procedurally unfair. He said the poll reflects broader sentiment, stating there is ‘nothing in it for the people of Alberta’ and that profits go to foreign companies. Meanwhile, Rina Blacklaws of the Coal Association of Canada countered that coal mining represents a ‘fantastic economic opportunity’ and that environmental impacts can be managed to high standards, noting existing responsible operations in the region.
Key facts
- Nearly 52% of Albertans support banning new coal mining in the Eastern Slopes
- Support is strongest in Calgary (60%) and Edmonton (nearly 55%)
- Nearly 85% of NDP supporters favor the ban, compared to 24% of UCP supporters
- Corb Lund’s Water Not Coal petition submitted ~207,000 signatures; 172,088 were validated
- Lund has filed a judicial review challenging Elections Alberta’s rejection of the petition
- ThinkHQ poll margin of error: ±2.9 percentage points, 19 times out of 20