A former deputy premier of Alberta, Thomas Lukaszuk, has achieved a significant milestone with his petition advocating for the province to remain part of Canada. Lukaszuk proudly announced that the petition has garnered over 456,000 signatures, surpassing the required threshold of 294,000 signatures for a potential referendum initiation.
During a news conference, Lukaszuk emphasized the strong message conveyed by the 456,365 Albertans who signed the petition, expressing their opposition to separatism and their firm commitment to Canada. He urged Premier Danielle Smith and Alberta MLAs to address the issue and put an end to separatist sentiments once and for all.
Despite the overwhelming response to the “Forever Canadian” petition, the government’s stance on calling a referendum remains unclear. Heather Jenkins, a press secretary for Alberta’s justice minister, stated that they will await the verification process by Elections Alberta before making any decisions.
Lukaszuk’s petition aims to counter separatist movements advocating for Alberta’s independence. It poses a straightforward question: “Do you agree that Alberta should remain within Canada?” In contrast, a rival project, the Alberta Prosperity Project, proposes a question about Alberta becoming a sovereign country separate from Canada.
Lukaszuk expressed hope that Premier Smith would not rush into calling a referendum, emphasizing that the purpose of the petition was to unify Albertans and prevent further division along political lines. He described the extensive efforts made by volunteers, including traveling thousands of kilometers and engaging with communities to collect signatures, noting the emotional stories shared by signatories.
Elections Alberta has confirmed the receipt of the signatures and outlined a 60-day verification process, ensuring the authenticity of the signatures and the compliance with petition guidelines. If successful, the petition will be submitted to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly for consideration.
Lukaszuk praised the historic significance of the petition, highlighting its unprecedented scale and expressing confidence in the electoral commissioner’s ability to handle the verification process effectively.
As the petition process concludes, Lukaszuk looks forward to resuming his routine life, mentioning mundane tasks like yard work and Halloween decorations, while expressing gratitude for the impact of the petition in fostering unity among Albertans.