Braid: Alberta's pro-Canada forces scoop separatists, set referendum question
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On the eve of Canada Day, Elections Alberta approved an official signature drive on the question:
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'Do you agree that Alberta should remain in Canada?'
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If enough signatures are collected, there will be a full provincial vote on the question.
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Thomas Lukaszuk, who leads the pro-Canada campaign, figures that any separatist petition is now dead in the water.
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The legislation governing these votes specifically states that two referenda on the same general subject cannot be approved.
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In other words, you can't have a vote both on whether Alberta should stay in Canada, and another one on whether Alberta should leave.
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Lukaszuk's question is in the political category, meaning a successful vote would force Premier Danielle Smith and the UCP to accept the results.
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'That means no ifs, ands or buts — Alberta will remain in Canada.
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'It basically takes all the wind out of Smith's sails. It says you have every right to negotiate with Ottawa, but you don't have the right to hold a gun to Canada's head.'
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