LAKELAND - While the Alberta Prosperity Project’s separation question is held up in the courts, the Forever Canadian petition is gathering momentum across the province – and in the Lakeland.
A citizen initiative petition to keep Alberta in Canada has been approved by Elections Alberta and has until Oct. 28 to collect a total of 300,000 signatures in support.
Called Forever Canadian, the petition asks: “Do you agree that Alberta should remain in Canada?”
Headed by former Progressive Conservative MLA and Cabinet Minister Thomas Lukaszuk, the group’s website Forever-Canadian.ca includes materials for approved canvassers and days and locations where supporters can sign.
“You must sign in person and provide your name and address as they appear on the voter list. If you’re unsure about eligibility, visit one of our signing locations and our volunteers can help,” reads the website.
Lakeland volunteers
Volunteers in Lac La Biche and Bonnyville have already been out collecting signatures.
“People say ‘Oh, the federal government does this, and the federal government does that to us,’ but they’re not looking at the big picture and they’re not looking at the real facts,” said Chris McCullough, who is collecting signatures in Lac La Biche and calls herself a proud Canadian.
“Yes, there is such a thing as western alienation, but at the same time, I don’t think [separating] is the way to solve it.”
When speaking with Lakeland This Week on Aug. 13, McCullough, who was set up at a table in downtown Lac La Biche, explained that the response from people who stopped by was very positive.
“We’ve had really good conversations with them, and it’s been awesome,” McCullough said.
Elaine “Bim” Bowers is a volunteer canvasser in Bonnyville. She said her phone has been ringing off the hook as she secures public locations for supporters to come and sign the petition.
“I’m a Canadian, and I’m and Albertan, and I want to stay in Canada,” said Bowers.
She said the separatists are a “small, very vocal minority group speaking for the rest of Albertans that don’t feel the same way, and I’m one of them.”
Roberta Stasyk is also collecting signatures in Elk Point and Muriel Lake areas, while Anita Hellquist will be gathering signatures in St. Paul and Elk Point.
Question to separate
Chief Electoral Officer for Elections Alberta Gordon McClure referred the question: “Do you agree that the Province of Alberta shall become a sovereign country and cease to be a province in Canada?” to the court last month for the court to review in light of the Canadian Constitution and Treaty Rights.
On Aug. 14, Justice Feasby denied the APP’s motion to strike the matter, calling it “serious business” and saying “the citizens of Alberta deserve to have these arguments made properly and heard in full. Democracy demands nothing less,” in his ruling.
Mitch Sylvestre, the CEO of the Alberta Prosperity Project said the ruling is not a loss, because it brings the issue to “international conversation - and that’s a great step forward for democracy as well as citizen engagement in politics.”
The next hearing for the question is Nov. 19, with a final decision expected in 2026.
Treaty Six Nations to intervene
In a news release dated Aug. 15, the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations said they intend to apply to intervene against the separation question, calling it a breach of the Crown’s treaty with First Nations.
“We will not be idle. Just as First Nations fought for the inclusion of Section 35 in the Constitution, we will continue to fight and oppose the reckless political posturing of this Alberta government and the so-called ‘Alberta Prosperity Project,’ who are in fact engaged in playing political games that endanger the future of all Albertans,” reads the release.
The Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations includes 16 member nations, including Beaver Lake Cree Nation, Cold Lake First Nations, Frog Lake First Nations, Whitefish Lake First Nation #128, Heart Lake First Nation, and Kehewin Cree Nation. Saddle Lake Cree Nation is also located on Treaty Six territory but is not listed as a member of the Confederacy.
