Latest news with #AlbertaProsperityProject
National Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- National Post
Don Braid: Alberta's pro-Canada forces move to thwart separatists by setting referendum question
Surprise, a pro-Canada team beat the separatists to an Alberta referendum. On the eve of Canada Day, Elections Alberta approved an official signature drive on the question: Article content Article content 'Do you agree that Alberta should remain in Canada?' Article content If enough signatures are collected, there will be a full provincial vote on the question. Article content Thomas Lukaszuk, who leads the pro-Canada campaign, figures that any separatist petition is now dead in the water. Article content Article content The legislation governing these votes specifically states that two referenda on the same general subject cannot be approved. Article content Article content 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. Article content Elections Alberta confirms that duelling referenda aren't allowed. Article content The authority reviews applications in the order they're received, and Lukaszuk was first to submit a question that met legal requirements. Article content The separatist Alberta Prosperity Project wants the referendum question to be: 'Do you agree that the Province of Alberta shall become an independent country and cease to be a province of Canada?' Article content Lukaszuk's question is in the political category, meaning a successful vote would force Premier Danielle Smith and the UCP to accept the results. Article content Article content Article content While Elections Canada's ruling came down just before Canada Day, Smith's new referendum rules will take effect July 4, America's Independence Day. Article content That may be not be intentional, but it sure is suggestive. Article content Smith's changes ease the requirement for a referendum to 177,732 signatures, representing 10 per cent of those who voted in the last election.
National Observer
2 days ago
- Politics
- National Observer
Amid calls for separation, Alberta's new referendum rules set to formally take effect
As Canada prepares Tuesday to blow out 158 birthday candles, Alberta plans three days later to formalize rules making it easier to have an independence celebration of its own. Beginning Friday, Premier Danielle Smith' s United Conservative government is officially lowering the required threshold for citizens to initiate a provincewide referendum, including on separation. Mitch Sylvestre, CEO of the Alberta Prosperity Project, a non-profit group touring Alberta promoting independence, says he plans to apply to Elections Alberta that same day to start a petition under the new rules. The group aims to gather 177,000 signatures within 120 days to put the question on a ballot to voters: Do you agree the province of Alberta shall become a sovereign country and cease to be a province of Canada? "I would not be surprised if that referendum was held right now that we could possibly even win it," Sylvestre told The Canadian Press. He said many Albertans are skeptical Prime Minister Mark Carney will be able to restore trust after federal policies for years siphoned Alberta's resource riches elsewhere. At the same time, Thomas Lukaszuk, a former Progressive Conservative deputy premier in Alberta, is working to thwart that separatist effort. Lukaszuk, now out of politics, argues that Alberta's rules do not allow for two competing petitions on the same issue. "There's only one petition at a time, so mine precludes theirs," he said. Lukaszuk has already applied to start a petition under the existing law, which would require 600,000 signatures. If his application to Elections Alberta is approved, he's confident that enough Albertans would sign their name to have the provincial government declare its official policy is to remain within Canada. Sylvestre said he will be submitting papers for the second time on Friday. He said he believes Lukaszuk's petition effort might delay the push for Alberta independence but believes it will fail to gather so many signatures within the old threshold of 90 days. Recent polls have suggested that support for separatism in Alberta hasn't reached majority territory. But, Sylvestre said, interest in holding an independence referendum is growing with each speaking event they organize. "The more people that hear what the message is, the more people that will be in favour," he said. Elections Alberta has said each application is evaluated in the order received but cannot comment on the applications submitted so far. Legal experts say a vote to sever ties with Canada would toss the country into uncharted waters, potentially prompting complex negotiations among governments and First Nations. Smith's government introduced the bill quickly after Carney's election victory earlier this year but said it would have been proposed regardless of the outcome. In defending her legislation, Smith said the growing number of Albertans unhappy with Confederation are right to be frustrated, and she wants to see more opportunities for direct democracy. She has long said she wants her province to be sovereign within a united Canada. That's a phrase Lukaszuk calls meaningless. "That's like me saying, 'I am single within the confines of my marriage,'' he said. Asked earlier this week what her government could do to quell separatist aspirations, Smith said it was Ottawa's responsibility to reverse policies she said stifle energy production and investment in Alberta. In recent months, she has called for Carney to abolish several federal policies and programs, including a proposed greenhouse gas emissions cap, net-zero electricity grid regulations and the West Coast tanker ban. "This is really in Ottawa's hands," Smith said Thursday. While Lukaszuk said Smith is entitled to negotiate with the federal government, she shouldn't use the threat of secession as leverage. He said the UCP's referendum legislation is dangerous and could open a Pandora's box of ballot questions, including some that may backfire on Smith's government. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 30, 2025.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Alberta byelection called for Aug. 18, giving Poilievre path back to House of Commons
OTTAWA — Pierre Poilievre has chosen one of the safest possible places to make his return to the House of Commons — but the rural Alberta riding he's hoping to win in an August byelection could also be dangerous territory for the Conservative leader. Damien Kurek resigned his seat in Battle River—Crowfoot earlier this month after winning more than 82 per cent support in the April 28 election. Prime Minister Mark Carney has set Aug. 18 as the date for the byelection to choose Kurek's replacement. In an emailed statement, Poilievre said it would be an "honour" to represent the riding and he plans to continue "fighting for oil and gas, low taxes, free enterprise, a strong defence and respect for the West." "The farmers, energy workers and soldiers of Battle River—Crowfoot feed, power and protect Canada," Poilievre said. "I will work hard and with humility to earn the support of the amazing people in this extraordinary region.' While almost no one expects Poilievre to lose, the decision to run in this particular part of the country has some analysts scratching their heads. "It sounded like he was looking for some sort of cakewalk byelection where he could easily get in, but he may have had a miscalculation there," said Janet Brown, a pollster and political commentator based in Calgary. "What may have seemed like an easy riding on the surface is going to look more complicated." Separatist sentiment has been on the rise in Alberta since the Liberals managed an election win that seemed unlikely, if not impossible, just six months ago. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's government has introduced a bill to make it easier to launch a citizen-initiated referendum, including a vote on separating from Canada. A group called the Alberta Prosperity Project has pledged to push for a referendum on the question, "Do you agree that the province of Alberta shall become an independent country and cease to be a province of Canada?" Former Conservative cabinet minister Stockwell Day has said he thinks a referendum is a good idea. Provinces cannot unilaterally separate from the country. Even if a referendum vote did succeed — something that no poll suggests is likely — Alberta would have to enter lengthy negotiations with the other provinces, the federal government and Indigenous groups. Smith said on Thursday that she's "never seen such a high level of separatist sentiment," and warned about the results of a provincial byelection in Olds—Didsbury—Three Hills last week, where a separatist candidate got just shy of 18 per cent of the vote. The premier also said the problem "is really in Ottawa's hands" and challenged the Carney government to scrap the proposed emissions cap and repeal the West Coast tanker ban. The town of Trochu is within both Battle River—Crowfoot and Olds—Didsbury—Three Hills, meaning residents are now set to cast their third set of ballots in five months. Barry Kletke has been mayor of Trochu for 21 years. Speaking as a resident, not as the mayor, he said he worried that the separatist candidate might make headway in the provincial race. He said he would be happy to have Poilievre as the area's MP for one term but hopes the Conservative leader doesn't "get caught down the rabbit hole of separation." "I think he's going to wear the 'proud to be Canadian' hat, and I hope that's the message," he said. Kletke said Smith's tendency to talk about the threat of separation is "going to come back and bite us in the butt one of these days." Brown said the results of her most recent poll suggest a third of Albertans believe their province would be better off if it left Canada, and 29 per cent of respondents said they would vote to separate in a referendum. "It's not a majority but it's not an insignificant fringe," she said. As a result, she said, even if Poilievre wants to avoid talking about it, "separatists will want to bait him into that conversation and his opponents will want to bait him in that conversation too." Kory Teneycke, the co-founder and CEO of Rubicon Strategy and a conservative strategist, agreed Poilievre is about to be dragged into a debate that is "entirely unhelpful for the federal Conservative party." Poilievre has said he opposes separation. On May 13, he told reporters Albertans have "a lot of legitimate grievances." "Albertans want to be part of a united Canada but they deserve to be treated with respect, and they deserve to be honoured for the immense contribution to this country, and I will be a unifier," Poilievre said at a press conference on Parliament Hill. Teneycke said Poilievre should be openly opposing a referendum and saying that "this is bad for Alberta and this is bad for Canada to even be having this conversation." It's not yet clear if candidates from any separatist parties will run against Poilievre in the byelection. What is clear is that the conversation won't be limited to the campaign. If Poilievre wins, he will become an MP from Alberta — and he will have to keep talking about the issue. "That's a dangerous territory for a Conservative leader to be operating in," Teneycke said. Poilievre represented the Ottawa-area riding of Carleton for more than 20 years before losing to Liberal Bruce Fanjoy in the April election. He's pledged to work to earn the support of his new riding, which includes the communities of Drumheller, Wainwright, Camrose and a large chunk of the Alberta-Saskatchewan border. The Conservative electoral district association in Battle River—Crowfoot did not respond to a request for comment for this story. Poilievre was not made available for an interview. Poilievre's social media shows he and Kurek have been knocking on doors and holding town halls in the area. He's posted photos and videos from the Wainwright Stampede, local legions and a charity barbecue. But the Tory leader isn't planning to stay for long. Kurek told reporters he plans to run again in the next general election. Where that will leave Poilievre in the next election is not clear. For now, his focus is on getting back into Parliament when it resumes sitting on Sept. 15. — With files from Jack Farrell in Edmonton This was first published by The Canadian Press on June 30, 2025. Sarah Ritchie, The Canadian Press Sign in to access your portfolio
CBC
3 days ago
- Politics
- CBC
New Alberta referendum rules looming as calls for separation met with opposition petition
As Canada prepares Tuesday to blow out 158 birthday candles, Alberta plans three days later to formalize rules making it easier to have an independence celebration of its own. Beginning Friday, Premier Danielle Smith's United Conservative government is officially lowering the required threshold for citizens to initiate a provincewide referendum, including on separation. Mitch Sylvestre, CEO of the Alberta Prosperity Project, a non-profit group touring Alberta promoting independence, said he plans to apply to Elections Alberta that same day to start a petition under the new rules. The group aims to gather 177,000 signatures within 120 days to put the question on a ballot to voters: Do you agree the province of Alberta shall become a sovereign country and cease to be a province of Canada? "I would not be surprised if that referendum was held right now that we could possibly even win it," Sylvestre told The Canadian Press. He said many Albertans are skeptical Prime Minister Mark Carney will be able to restore trust after federal policies for years siphoned Alberta's resource riches elsewhere. WATCH | Why Alberta separation is seen as a 'real possibility': Why Alberta separation is seen as a 'real possibility' 2 months ago Duration 2:49 While most Albertans don't want to separate, new polling suggests a majority in the province think it could happen. CBC Calgary's Rob Brown explains the Research Co. findings. The online survey was conducted with 1,201 voters between April 27 and 29, 2025. It carries a margin of error of +/- 2.8 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. At the same time, Thomas Lukaszuk, a former Progressive Conservative deputy premier in Alberta, is working to thwart that separatist effort. Lukaszuk, now out of politics, argues that Alberta's rules do not allow for two competing petitions on the same issue. "There's only one petition at a time, so mine precludes theirs," he said. Lukaszuk has already applied to start a petition under the existing law, which would require 600,000 signatures. If his application to Elections Alberta is approved, he's confident that enough Albertans would sign their name to have the provincial government declare its official policy is to remain within Canada. Sylvestre said he will be submitting papers for the second time on Friday. He said he believes Lukaszuk's petition effort might delay the push for Alberta independence but believes it will fail to gather so many signatures within the old threshold of 90 days. Recent polls have suggested that support for separatism in Alberta hasn't reached majority territory. But, Sylvestre said, interest in holding an independence referendum is growing with each speaking event they organize. "The more people that hear what the message is, the more people that will be in favour," he said. WATCH | What could Alberta separation mean for First Nations in the province? What could Alberta separation mean for First Nations in the province? 1 month ago Duration 7:52 Chief political correspondent Rosemary Barton speaks with Chief Tony Alexis of the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation about how Alberta separation threats violate First Nations treaty rights and how the government is not going far enough to protect those communities. Elections Alberta has said each application is evaluated in the order received but cannot comment on the applications submitted so far. Legal experts say a vote to sever ties with Canada would toss the country into uncharted waters, potentially prompting complex negotiations among governments and First Nations. Smith's government introduced the bill quickly after Carney's election victory earlier this year but said it would have been proposed regardless of the outcome. In defending her legislation, Smith said the growing number of Albertans unhappy with Confederation are right to be frustrated, and she wants to see more opportunities for direct democracy. She has long said she wants her province to be sovereign within a united Canada. That's a phrase Lukaszuk calls meaningless. "That's like me saying, 'I am single within the confines of my marriage,"' he said. Asked earlier this week what her government could do to quell separatist aspirations, Smith said it was Ottawa's responsibility to reverse policies she said stifle energy production and investment in Alberta. In recent months, she has called for Carney to abolish several federal policies and programs, including a proposed greenhouse gas emissions cap, net-zero electricity grid regulations and the West Coast tanker ban. "This is really in Ottawa's hands," Smith said Thursday. While Lukaszuk said Smith is entitled to negotiate with the federal government, she shouldn't use the threat of secession as leverage.
CTV News
3 days ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Amid calls for separation, Alberta's new referendum rules set to formally take effect
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announcing the "New North America Initiative", led by the University of Calgary's School of Public Policy in Calgary, Alta., Friday, May 16, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh EDMONTON — As Canada prepares Tuesday to blow out 158 birthday candles, Alberta plans three days later to formalize rules making it easier to have an independence celebration of its own. Beginning Friday, Premier Danielle Smith's United Conservative government is officially lowering the required threshold for citizens to initiate a provincewide referendum, including on separation. Mitch Sylvestre, CEO of the Alberta Prosperity Project, a non-profit group touring Alberta promoting independence, says he plans to apply to Elections Alberta that same day to start a petition under the new rules. The group aims to gather 177,000 signatures within 120 days to put the question on a ballot to voters: Do you agree the province of Alberta shall become a sovereign country and cease to be a province of Canada? 'I would not be surprised if that referendum was held right now that we could possibly even win it,' Sylvestre told The Canadian Press. He said many Albertans are skeptical Prime Minister Mark Carney will be able to restore trust after federal policies for years siphoned Alberta's resource riches elsewhere. At the same time, Thomas Lukaszuk, a former Progressive Conservative deputy premier in Alberta, is working to thwart that separatist effort. Lukaszuk, now out of politics, argues that Alberta's rules do not allow for two competing petitions on the same issue. 'There's only one petition at a time, so mine precludes theirs,' he said. Lukaszuk has already applied to start a petition under the existing law, which would require 600,000 signatures. If his application to Elections Alberta is approved, he's confident that enough Albertans would sign their name to have the provincial government declare its official policy is to remain within Canada. Sylvestre said he will be submitting papers for the second time on Friday. He said he believes Lukaszuk's petition effort might delay the push for Alberta independence but believes it will fail to gather so many signatures within the old threshold of 90 days. Recent polls have suggested that support for separatism in Alberta hasn't reached majority territory. But, Sylvestre said, interest in holding an independence referendum is growing with each speaking event they organize. 'The more people that hear what the message is, the more people that will be in favour,' he said. Elections Alberta has said each application is evaluated in the order received but cannot comment on the applications submitted so far. Legal experts say a vote to sever ties with Canada would toss the country into uncharted waters, potentially prompting complex negotiations among governments and First Nations. Smith's government introduced the bill quickly after Carney's election victory earlier this year but said it would have been proposed regardless of the outcome. In defending her legislation, Smith said the growing number of Albertans unhappy with Confederation are right to be frustrated, and she wants to see more opportunities for direct democracy. She has long said she wants her province to be sovereign within a united Canada. That's a phrase Lukaszuk calls meaningless. 'That's like me saying, 'I am single within the confines of my marriage,'' he said. Asked earlier this week what her government could do to quell separatist aspirations, Smith said it was Ottawa's responsibility to reverse policies she said stifle energy production and investment in Alberta. In recent months, she has called for Carney to abolish several federal policies and programs, including a proposed greenhouse gas emissions cap, net-zero electricity grid regulations and the West Coast tanker ban. 'This is really in Ottawa's hands,' Smith said Thursday. While Lukaszuk said Smith is entitled to negotiate with the federal government, she shouldn't use the threat of secession as leverage. He said the UCP's referendum legislation is dangerous and could open a Pandora's box of ballot questions, including some that may backfire on Smith's government. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 30, 2025. Lisa Johnson, The Canadian Press
