What’s Next for Alberta’s Separation Referendum After Supporters Submit 300K Petition Signatures
Alberta independence organizers say they have delivered nearly double the amount of signatures required to trigger a referendum, but a number of steps remain before a vote can be held. The verification of the petition’s 301,620 signatures by Elections Alberta is temporarily blocked while the Court of King’s Bench hears arguments from multiple First Nations [...]
TL;DR
- Alberta independence organizers submitted 301,620 signatures, exceeding the referendum requirement.
- Signature verification by Elections Alberta is paused.
- First Nations, including Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation, Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, and the Blackfoot Confederacy, are challenging the petition.
- First Nations argue the petition violates treaty and constitutionally protected Indigenous rights.
- They state that consultation is necessary before proceeding with a referendum.
- The Court of King’s Bench is hearing arguments on the matter.