Alberta proposes blackout period for citizen-led referendum petitions around elections

Alberta’s government has introduced legislation that would restrict when citizens can launch petitions for constitutional or policy referendums, including a blackout period before and after provincial elections.

Justice Minister Mickey Amery outlined the proposed changes in a bill now before the legislature. According to the minister, the bill would prohibit initiating referendum petitions in the 12 months leading up to, and the 12 months following, a provincial election.

Amery said the intent is to ensure voters can focus on making decisions at the ballot box without overlapping referendum campaigns. The next provincial election in Alberta is scheduled for October 2027.

The proposal marks the latest in a series of recent amendments to Alberta’s laws governing citizen-led petitions. Those laws set out how residents can trigger referendums on major policy or constitutional questions if they gather enough public support.

At least one group is currently attempting to collect sufficient signatures to force a referendum on Alberta separating from Canada. It is not clear how the proposed blackout period would affect ongoing or future efforts if the bill becomes law.