Petition for Referendum to Keep Alberta in Canada Approved by Elections Alberta

A petition asking Albertans if they want to remain a part of Canada has been approved by Elections Alberta. A competing petition calling for Alberta’s separation has been referred to the courts by Elections Alberta to determine whether it is constitutional before it can proceed.

Alberta’s chief electoral officer, Gordon McClure, approved the petition against Alberta’s separation by group Alberta Forever Canada on July 30, saying as per legislation, it now needed to garner signatures from 10 percent of eligible voters, or 293,976 signatures, to qualify as a referendum.

The petition question is “Do you agree that Alberta should remain in Canada?”

The organizer of the petition, Thomas Lukaszuk, is a former Progressive Conservative MLA and cabinet minister. He served as the deputy premier of Alberta from 2012 to 2013. However, in the last provincial election, he supported the NDP against the United Conservative Party, which was formed by the merger of the PCs and the Wildrose Party.

Lukaszuk’s petition was launched after another group, the Alberta Prosperity Project, filed a different application for a petition. In that application, the question posed was about Alberta separating from Canada. Elections Alberta sent the Alberta Prosperity Project petition application to the Court of King’s Bench asking for a ruling on whether or not it contravenes Charter issues.

Premier Danielle Smith has previously said that while she wants Alberta to remain in Canada, she would not block a referendum question if a petition meets the legal requirements.

Lukaszuk told The Epoch Times that he was a proud Canadian and did not want to see the province separate.

Born in Poland, Lukaszuk and his family moved to Canada when he was young. He said the day he became a Canadian at 12 years old was the “best day” of his life.

Lukaszuk said he believes the conflict between Alberta and Ottawa can be solved without separation.

“We are a country that is in constant negotiation, and that’s what makes us so unique, and that’s what makes us work so well. But we have mechanisms for solving the problems, but separating from Canada is never an option.”

He also said that separation talk can hurt the economy.

“When we have these kinds of discussions, it puts a chill on investment,” Lukaszuk said.

The petition needs to have all signatures collected by Oct. 28 to meet the requirements, according to Elections Alberta.

In order for signatures to be considered valid, those signing must be an eligible voter in the province; provide name, address, and date they signed; sign only once during the 90-day period; and physically sign the petition.

Digital or online signatures will not be accepted, Elections Alberta said.

A registered canvasser is required to witness each signature, and sign as a witness on each signature sheet.

Competing Petition

Elections Alberta said it sent the Alberta Prosperity Project’s proposed question to the Court of King’s Bench, asking whether its question—“Do you agree that the Province of Alberta shall become a sovereign country and cease to be a province in Canada?”—contravenes a part of the Constitution.

McClure said he has asked the court to consider if the question contravenes citizens’ rights, such as mobility rights; treaty rights; the right to life, liberty, and security of the person; equality before and under the law; and the enforcement of guaranteed rights and freedoms.

The application for the petition was filed by Mitch Sylvestre of the Alberta Prosperity Project, which says its mission is to empower Alberta “to pursue prosperity, self-determination, and sovereignty through education, policy advocacy, and public mobilization.”

The Alberta Prosperity Project’s website says it is a nonprofit group that supports the province’s independence.

The Epoch Times attempted to contact Sylvestre, but did not hear back by publication time.

“We believe Albertans should have more control over their own decisions, instead of being held back by unfair federal rules and laws,” the group’s website said.

It said the main goal was “greater freedom, stronger rights, and a better future for all Albertans.” The way to achieve that is to become a self-governing province or independent nation, the group said.

“We believe Albertans should decide how to use their own natural resources, manage their healthcare and education, and protect their rights and freedoms without federal interference.”

Calls for Alberta to separate from Canada grew stronger after the federal Liberals were re-elected in the April 28 election. Western provinces, including Alberta and Saskatchewan, have been critical of the Liberal government for its energy policies, saying they block the provinces’ oil and gas development, as well as for its stance on personal freedom issues, such as gun control.