Latest news with #pro-Canada
Edmonton Journal
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Edmonton Journal
Braid: Separatism debate heats up as referendum question goes to court
Elections Alberta is taking the separatists to court. It could be some show. Article content The elections office asks Court of King's Bench to decide whether a referendum question proposed by separatists is unconstitutional. Article content Article content Article content Whatever happens in court, the separatist drive for a referendum question is stalled for some time. Article content Some separatists are claiming the system is rigged against them, because any King's Bench judge who hears the case will be a federal appointee. Article content Another problem awaits. A related question has already been approved by Elections Alberta, the independent body established by the legislature. Article content Under the law, there can't be two questions on the same general subject. Article content Article content The pro-Canada leader of this campaign is former PC Deputy Premier Thomas Lukaszuk. Article content He's now branded 'Tommy the Commie' by separatists who seem deeply annoyed that he got the jump on them. Article content He sure did. Lukaszuk's question was approved just before Canada Day. That kicked off a 30-day period for organizing that ends Wednesday. Article content After that, the group can start collecting official signatures to trigger a provincewide vote. Article content Lukaszuk's question was approved while a previous law was in effect. It requires him to gather 300,000 names, all fully checked and approved, in only 90 days. Article content Article content Bizarrely, after Lukaszuk's question was allowed, the UCP proclaimed legislation that lowers the bar to 177,000 signatures over 120 days. Article content That's a much more reasonable goal. But Lukaszuk may be stuck with the old one.
Ottawa Citizen
a day ago
- Politics
- Ottawa Citizen
Braid: Separatism debate heats up as referendum question goes to court
Article content The elections office asks Court of King's Bench to decide whether a referendum question proposed by separatists is unconstitutional. Article content Article content The question from activist Mitch Sylvestre, is: 'Do you agree that the province of Alberta shall become a country and cease to be a province of Canada?' Article content Article content This may violate the Constitution Act of 1982, and the subsequent Clarity Act, which lays out detailed requirements for separation. Article content Article content Short form: a province cannot unilaterally secede from Canada by simple referendum. Article content Even after a big Yes vote, talks with Ottawa are required. Article content Provincial law on referendums — the UCP's law — clearly states that unconstitutional questions may not be put to the people for a vote. Article content Whatever happens in court, the separatist drive for a referendum question is stalled for some time. Article content Another problem awaits them. A related question has already been approved by Elections Alberta, the independent body established by the legislature. Article content The pro-Canada leader of this campaign is former PC Deputy Premier Thomas Lukaszuk. Article content Article content He's now branded 'Tommy the Commie' by separatists who seem deeply annoyed that he got the jump on them. Article content He sure did. Lukaszuk's question was approved just before Canada Day. That kicked off a 30-day period for organizing that ends Wednesday. Article content After that, the group can start collecting official signatures to trigger a provincewide vote. Article content Lukaszuk's question was approved while a previous law was in effect. It requires him to gather 300,000 names, all fully checked and approved, in only 90 days. Article content Article content Bizarrely, after Lukaszuk's question was allowed, the UCP proclaimed legislation that lowers the bar to 177,000 signatures over 120 days. Article content That's a much more reasonable goal. But Lukaszuk may be stuck with the old one. Article content He argues that his question should fall under the new standard. Article content 'We're anticipating that he (the chief electoral officer) will say we're going by the old rules, but we may challenge him on that,' says Lukaszuk.
Calgary Herald
a day ago
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
Braid: Separatism debate heats up as referendum question goes to court
Elections Alberta is taking the separatists to court. It could be some show. Article content The elections office asks Court of King's Bench to decide whether a referendum question proposed by separatists is unconstitutional. Article content Article content The question from activist Mitch Sylvestre, is: 'Do you agree that the province of Alberta shall become a country and cease to be a province of Canada?' Article content Article content This may violate the Constitution Act of 1982, and the subsequent Clarity Act, which lays out detailed requirements for separation. Article content Article content Provincial law on referendums — the UCP's law — clearly states that unconstitutional questions may not be put to the people for a vote. Article content Whatever happens in court, the separatist drive for a referendum question is stalled for some time. Article content Another problem awaits them. A related question has already been approved by Elections Alberta, the independent body established by the legislature. Article content The pro-Canada leader of this campaign is former PC Deputy Premier Thomas Lukaszuk. Article content Article content He's now branded 'Tommy the Commie' by separatists who seem deeply annoyed that he got the jump on them. Article content He sure did. Lukaszuk's question was approved just before Canada Day. That kicked off a 30-day period for organizing that ends Wednesday. Article content After that, the group can start collecting official signatures to trigger a provincewide vote. Article content Lukaszuk's question was approved while a previous law was in effect. It requires him to gather 300,000 names, all fully checked and approved, in only 90 days. Article content Article content Bizarrely, after Lukaszuk's question was allowed, the UCP proclaimed legislation that lowers the bar to 177,000 signatures over 120 days. Article content That's a much more reasonable goal. But Lukaszuk may be stuck with the old one. Article content He argues that his question should fall under the new standard. Article content 'We're anticipating that he (the chief electoral officer) will say we're going by the old rules, but we may challenge him on that,' says Lukaszuk.
Edmonton Journal
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Edmonton Journal
Braid: Nenshi arrives on the legislature job with a powerful political cause
NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi finally has a legislature seat — and his big political issue. Article content Canada itself. Article content Article content Nenshi will take his ardent pro-Canada stance into the legislature in the fall, now that he's finally leader of the official Opposition. Article content Article content Nenshi says Smith is threatening to wreck both Alberta and Canada. He's astonished that she admitted to respecting separatists because she doesn't want her party to split. Article content 'Let's be clear, it doesn't matter whether Danielle Smith is a separatist,' Nenshi said in an interview. Article content 'She's acting like one. She's acting like one every single day, and she's taking our province toward separating from this country . . . Canada is a big, complicated, bruised and battered country, but it's also a great country, and we've got to stand up for it, because if we don't, who will? Article content Article content 'We've heard from business people across this province that they're not investing in Alberta anymore,' he said. Article content Article content 'They're not going to invest one dollar when they don't know what country they're investing in. Article content 'These sham panels that the premier is setting up will only lead to ruin for Alberta and lead to no good outcomes for anybody,' he added, referring to Smith's Alberta Next consultations. Article content 'I'm telling you right now, those are not separatists. Those are people who were unbelievably angry that the premier is doing this. Article content 'So we'll see if she shuts them up. We'll see if she gives them the mic. This is a sham.'
Calgary Herald
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
Braid: Nenshi arrives on the legislature job with a powerful political cause
NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi is launching a provincewide caucus initiative to connect with Albertans and stand up for Canada. The announcement was made in Edmonton on Monday, July 14, 2025. Shaughn Butts/Postmedia NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi finally has a legislature seat — and his big political issue. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Calgary Herald ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Calgary Herald ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Nenshi will take his ardent pro-Canada stance into the legislature in the fall, now that he's finally leader of the official Opposition. Nenshi blasted UCP Premier Danielle Smith over separatism at a news conference Monday, before he was officially sworn in as the MLA for Edmonton-Strathcona. That makes sense for the NDP. They don't always get traction with their blistering critiques of specific areas like health care. Your weekday lunchtime roundup of curated links, news highlights, analysis and features. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again Separatism is emotional and universal. Polls show a large majority of Albertans want nothing to do with it. Nenshi offers himself as their full-throated patriotic champion. Nenshi says Smith is threatening to wreck both Alberta and Canada. He's astonished that she admitted to respecting separatists because she doesn't want her party to split. 'Let's be clear, it doesn't matter whether Danielle Smith is a separatist,' Nenshi said in an interview. 'She's acting like one. She's acting like one every single day, and she's taking our province towards separating from this country . . . 'Canada is a big, complicated, bruised and battered country, but it's also a great country, and we've got to stand up for it, because if we don't, who will? 'We've heard from business people across this province that they're not investing in Alberta anymore,' he said. 'They're not going to invest one dollar when they don't know what country they're investing in. 'These sham panels that the premier is setting up will only lead to ruin for Alberta and lead to no good outcomes for anybody,' he added, referring to Smith's Alberta Next consultations. Nenshi figures most people signing up to participate are furious with Smith. 'I'm telling you right now, those are not separatists. Those are people who were unbelievably angry that the premier is doing this. 'So we'll see if she shuts them up. We'll see if she gives them the mic. This is a sham.' Nenshi and Smith, onetime friends at U of C, have quite a few mutual grudges.
