A petition led by a former deputy premier of Alberta has garnered over 456,000 signatures, surpassing the required 294,000 threshold for triggering a potential referendum. The petition, known as “Forever Canadian,” aims to solidify Alberta’s position within Canada and counter separatist movements advocating for Alberta’s independence.
Thomas Lukaszuk, the initiator of the petition, emphasized that the significant number of signatures reflects the strong desire of Albertans to remain part of Canada. Lukaszuk urged Premier Danielle Smith and Alberta MLAs to address the issue promptly and put an end to separatism once and for all. The petition, which asked if Alberta should stay within Canada, has resonated with Albertans who have shown unwavering pride in their Canadian identity.
While the government has not confirmed plans for a referendum, a statement from Alberta’s justice minister’s press secretary, Heather Jenkins, indicated that they are monitoring the verification process by Elections Alberta. Lukaszuk expressed hope that a referendum could be avoided to prevent further division among Albertans.
Traveling extensively across the province to collect signatures, Lukaszuk and volunteers encountered heartfelt stories from individuals expressing their strong attachment to Canada. The verification process for the petition is underway, with Elections Alberta set to confirm the authenticity of the signatures within 60 days.
Lukaszuk, noting the historical significance of the petition, emphasized the importance of a swift and accurate verification process by the elections commissioner. As the process nears completion, Lukaszuk looks forward to resuming his normal routine and expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support received during the campaign.