Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has announced a new referendum question for October that will ask Albertans whether they want to begin the legal process for a binding vote on separation from Canada. The question, however, does not directly address independence.
Premier's Announcement
In a televised address on Thursday, Smith stated that while she supports Alberta remaining in Canada, she is "deeply troubled" by a recent court decision that quashed an Alberta independence citizen petition. The government will add a new question to the Oct. 19 referendum, which already includes nine other questions on immigration and the Constitution.
"The additional question will be: 'Should Alberta remain a province of Canada or should the Government of Alberta commence the legal process required under the Canadian Constitution to hold a binding provincial referendum on whether or not Alberta should separate from Canada?'" Smith said.
Background and Controversy
The announcement follows controversy at a committee meeting Wednesday regarding former deputy premier Thomas Lukaszuk's Forever Canadian petition. The issue was resolved Thursday when a special committee of MLAs voted in favor of putting the question to a referendum. The Alberta NDP opposed the motion but was defeated by the UCP majority.
Smith emphasized that her question does not directly trigger separation. If a majority of Albertans vote in favor, the government will begin the legal process to hold a binding referendum. Because of this, the recent court ruling does not apply, Smith added.
Petition Signatures and Federal Criticism
Smith noted that approximately 700,000 Albertans have signed petitions related to this issue—the Forever Canadian petition requesting a referendum on staying in Canada, and the Stay Free Alberta petition requesting a referendum on leaving. She accused the federal government of moving toward a "centralized American-style system" with Ottawa overreaching in provincial jurisdiction.
"Our Alberta oilsands went from a national target to a national treasure. Pipelines went from impossible to a national imperative," Smith said. "Justin Trudeau's anti-Alberta, anti-energy policies became a national embarrassment—one of several—that ultimately cost him his prime ministership."
Smith vowed that her government will respect the outcome of all referendum questions on Oct. 19.
