A former deputy premier of Alberta, Thomas Lukaszuk, has garnered overwhelming support for his petition advocating for the province to maintain its position within Canada. Lukaszuk revealed that the petition has amassed over 456,000 signatures, surpassing the required threshold of 294,000 for potential referendum initiation.
Addressing the media on Tuesday, Lukaszuk emphasized the significant statement made by the 456,365 signatories who expressed their disapproval of separatism. He urged Premier Danielle Smith and Alberta MLAs to address the issue and put an end to any separatist sentiments.
The initiative, known as the “Forever Canadian” petition, was introduced as a response to separatist movements advocating for an Alberta independence referendum. The petition simply asks, “Do you agree that Alberta should remain within Canada?”
While Premier Smith’s administration has advocated for Alberta’s unity within the country, they have also eased the referendum process by lowering the signature threshold. A competing proposal, led by the Alberta Prosperity Project, questions whether Alberta should become a sovereign nation and cease to be a Canadian province.
In response to speculations about a potential referendum, Lukaszuk expressed hope that Premier Smith would not rush into such a decision. He emphasized that the petition aimed to prevent further division among Albertans along political lines.
Lukaszuk shared that he and other volunteers embarked on a journey covering over 7,000 kilometers in an aged bus to collect signatures from diverse urban and rural communities. The experience, he noted, was emotionally charged, with individuals signing the petition for deeply personal reasons, rooted in their strong connection to Canada.
Elections Alberta confirmed the receipt of the signatures and outlined a 60-day verification process, ensuring the authenticity of each signature. If successful, the petition will be presented to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly for consideration.
Lukaszuk hailed the magnitude of the petition, claiming it to be the largest in Canadian history. He expressed confidence in the Elections Commissioner’s ability to handle the verification process promptly and accurately.
Following the completion of the petition process, Lukaszuk expressed his anticipation of returning to his routine life, highlighting personal tasks awaiting his attention amidst cheers and laughter from supporters holding Canadian flags.