Key Takeaways
- The Alberta Forever Canada petition, also known as the "Forever Canadian" petition, has been verified as successful by Elections Alberta with 438,568 valid signatures counted and 404,293 verified signatures.
- The petition aimed to make it official policy for Alberta to stay in Canada, countering Alberta separatists who want a referendum on the province’s independence.
- The petition’s success could trigger a referendum, but the initiator, Thomas Lukaszuk, hopes to have the legislature vote on the question instead.
- The proposal will be brought before the assembly and referred to a legislative committee within 10 sitting days.
- A potential referendum would need to be held on or before the next provincial general election, scheduled for October 18, 2027.
Introduction to the Petition
The Alberta Forever Canada petition, also known as the "Forever Canadian" petition, has achieved a significant milestone by garnering enough signatures to be considered successful. According to Elections Alberta, the petition had 438,568 valid signatures counted and 404,293 verified signatures after a random statistical sampling method was applied with a 95 per cent confidence level. This exceeds the required 293,976 signatures, demonstrating strong support for the petition’s aim to make it official policy for Alberta to remain within Canada.
Background and Motivation
The petition was launched by former deputy premier Thomas Lukaszuk in response to Alberta separatists who are advocating for a referendum on the province’s independence. The separatist movement has been gaining traction, prompting Lukaszuk to take action and promote the idea of Alberta remaining part of Canada. The petition’s question is straightforward, asking: "Do you agree that Alberta should remain within Canada?" By gathering a substantial number of signatures, the petition aims to demonstrate the province’s commitment to staying in Canada and to counter the separatist movement.
Verification and Next Steps
Elections Alberta has verified the petition’s success, estimating that about 13.6 per cent of electors in the province signed the petition. While the petition could trigger a referendum, Lukaszuk has expressed his preference for having Premier Danielle Smith call the petition’s question in the legislature and having MLAs vote on it. This approach would allow the legislature to address the issue directly, potentially avoiding the need for a referendum. A copy of the petition’s policy proposal was submitted to the Speaker of the legislature, and legislation requires the Speaker to bring the proposal before the assembly within a specified timeframe.
Legislative Process and Potential Referendum
The legislative process will now unfold, with the proposal being referred to a legislative committee within 10 sitting days. The committee will then have the option to table a report on the policy proposal or recommend that it go to a referendum. If a referendum is recommended, it must be held on or before the fixed date of the next provincial general election, which is scheduled for October 18, 2027. This timeline provides a clear framework for the potential referendum, ensuring that the issue is addressed in a timely and orderly manner. The outcome of the legislative process and potential referendum will be closely watched, as it will have significant implications for Alberta’s relationship with Canada.
Conclusion and Implications
The success of the Alberta Forever Canada petition marks an important milestone in the debate about Alberta’s future within Canada. The petition’s initiator, Thomas Lukaszuk, has successfully mobilized support for the idea of Alberta remaining part of Canada, countering the separatist movement. As the legislative process unfolds, it remains to be seen whether the petition’s question will be addressed through a referendum or a legislative vote. Regardless of the outcome, the petition hasalready demonstrated the strong sentiment among Albertans who value their relationship with Canada and want to maintain the status quo. The implications of this petition will be far-reaching, shaping the future of Alberta and its place within Canada.