Latest news with #Sylvestre
Global News
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Global News
Alberta's new referendum rules set to formally take effect as some continue separatist push
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. Story continues below advertisement View image in full screen People gather in support of Alberta becoming a 51st state during a rally at the legislature in Edmonton. Jason Franson/ 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. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 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. On Monday Elections Alberta approved his application to undertake a petition for the province to declare its official policy is to remain within Canada. Since Lukaszuk applied before the new rules took effect, he'll need to collect 600,000 signatures, but he said he's confident that enough Albertans would sign their name. Story continues below advertisement 2:13 Alberta group proposes anti-separatism referendum: 'I'm thankful to this country' Chief Electoral Officer Gordon McClure said in a Monday statement that Lukaszuk has 30 days to appoint a chief financial officer for his campaign, after which he'll be able to start gathering signatures. 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. 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. Story continues below advertisement 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 last 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. Story continues below advertisement
National Observer
30-06-2025
- 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.
Hamilton Spectator
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Amid calls for separation, Alberta's new referendum rules set to formally take effect
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.
Winnipeg Free Press
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Amid calls for separation, Alberta's new referendum rules set to formally take effect
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. Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. 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.
Ottawa Citizen
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Ottawa Citizen
Cafley: New woman president at uOttawa is just a first step
For the first time in its 177-year history, the University of Ottawa has appointed a woman as president and vice-chancellor. Marie-Eve Sylvestre's historic appointment deserves celebration—loud, proud and unapologetic. It's a glass-ceiling shatter heard across campus, in lecture halls and around board tables across the country. Article content But as we mark this milestone, we can't afford to romanticize it. One 'first' doesn't make a trend. It doesn't guarantee change. And it doesn't mean the path ahead will be smooth. Article content Article content Article content Sylvestre is a formidable choice: educated at Université de Montréal and Harvard, with more than two decades steeped in the culture of academia. She knows this institution. She knows the terrain. But history tells us that knowing the terrain doesn't always protect women from the pitfalls of leadership. Article content The reality is stark. In Canada, women university presidents are more likely to leave before completing their terms than are their male counterparts. Over the past decade, of the university presidencies that ended prematurely, 60 per cent were held by women — despite women making up only 30 per cent of presidents overall. Within Canada's U15 — the country's most research-intensive institutions — only 13 per cent of presidents are women. Sylvestre's appointment will bring that number to 20 per cent. Article content And the trend extends far beyond our borders. Globally, only 16 per cent of university presidents are women. Even among the world's top 200 universities, less than one in four is led by a woman. That figure alone should give us pause. What message does that send to the next generation of scholars, researchers and changemakers? Article content Article content These patterns are not random; they follow a well-documented phenomenon known as the glass cliff. Women are more likely to be appointed to leadership roles during times of crisis, when success is harder to achieve and the risks of failure are high. It's a precarious path, and the fall, if it comes, is far more scrutinized. Article content Article content In their powerful memoir Nerve, trailblazing university presidents Martha Piper and Indira Samarasekera recount what it meant to be the first — and, to this day, the only — women to lead their respective institutions. Their experiences lay bare the double binds, the isolation and the relentless pressure to perform without faltering. As Piper wrote candidly: 'Being the first is not good enough.' Article content She's right. A historic appointment doesn't mean we've arrived; it means we've begun. The real work lies in creating the conditions where women leaders are not only appointed but supported, sustained and succeeded.
