Alberta’s New Referendum Rules Launch July 4 as Anti-Separatists Seek to Counter Independence Push

Alberta’s new lower bar for referendums is set to go into effect July 4 as anti-separatist petitioners led by former Deputy Premier Thomas Lukaszuk seek to beat the separatist movement to a referendum question.

The changes making it easier for Albertans to hold a referendum were introduced April 29 by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith. Though it came one day after the April 28 election that saw the federal Liberals re-elected, Smith said the changes would have been put forward regardless.

The legislation extends the signature collection period from 90 to 120 days and sets the threshold for triggering a referendum at 10 percent of eligible voters who participated in the most recent general election. A May poll from Leger found that 42 percent of Albertans support the new lower threshold to hold referendums, while 41 percent disagree.

The Alberta Prosperity Project (APP) separatist group plans to file its petition as soon as the new rules go into effect. The APP will have 120 days after filing the petition to collect 177,000 signatures to put forward a request for Alberta’s separation from Canada.

Lukaszuk, meanwhile, has a competing petition to support Alberta remaining a part of Canada. 

Lukaszuk is a former Progressive Conservative MLA and deputy premier under former Premier Alison Redford, but he endorsed the New Democrats in Alberta’s last provincial election.

Lukaszuk’s petition was approved by the province on June 30 before the new rules took effect, so he’ll need 294,000 signatures to move ahead with his petition.

A survey conducted between May 23 and June 1 by Innovative Research found that separatist sentiment cooled somewhat in May, with 26 percent of Albertans saying they would “probably” or “definitely” support separation, with 65 percent opposed and 9 percent saying they “don’t know.”

“At some point soon, [Prime Minister Mark] Carney is going to have to start acting in a way that’s consistent with the talk,” Innovative Research President Greg Lyle said in an interview with The Epoch Times, adding that separatist momentum “could well come back” if Albertans aren’t satisfied with upcoming policy from Ottawa.

While Smith has said she does not support Alberta separation, she has also stated that a question on Alberta separating from Canada would be allowed on a 2026 referendum ballot. Smith has called for the Carney government to reverse the oil tanker ban on B.C.’s north coast, end the Impact Assessment Act, remove the emissions cap on the oil and gas sector, end the industrial carbon tax, and end electric vehicle mandates.

Carney has not agreed to remove legislation such as the Impact Assessment Act or the oil and gas emissions cap, but has said instead that his government introduced the One Canadian Economy Act to advance projects of national interest. Carney has also stated openness to construction of a new pipeline if a “consensus exists among provinces.”

Carney has said that “Canada is stronger when we work together,” and said he’s committed to “creating more opportunities in the energy sector for hardworking Albertans.”

Smith said on June 26 that separatist sentiments in her province are the highest she’s ever seen and that the federal government should take the movement “seriously.”

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.