Alberta Petition Verifies 222,597 Signatures for Separation Vote

Elections Alberta verified 222,597 signatures on a citizen-led petition seeking to force a vote on Alberta separating from Canada. The total surpasses the required threshold of approximately 178,000 signatures. Despite the successful verification, the petition remains largely moot following a May ruling by the Court of King's Bench, which quashed the effort due to violations of Indigenous treaty rights. This ruling is currently under appeal by the provincial government and petition organizers.

Premier Danielle Smith has scheduled a referendum for October 19, asking voters whether they wish to remain in Canada or hold a second, binding referendum on leaving. The verification process was ordered by a judge to proceed during the appeal to maintain the integrity of the signatures.

Jeff Rath, a lawyer for the group Stay Free Alberta, argues that the verification results pressure the Premier to use the petition's specific wording on the October ballot. Rath alleges that Smith promised to do so if the signature threshold was met, stating that if she does not, she will have proven herself to be a liar and must resign.