Alberta separatist group to submit petition for referendum on leaving Confederation

A group advocating for Alberta’s separation from Canada is expected to submit petition signatures today to trigger a potential referendum on the issue.

Mitch Sylvestre, who leads Stay Free Alberta, said the organization plans to deliver thousands of signed petition sheets to Elections Alberta’s head office in Edmonton. According to Sylvestre, the group had already surpassed the required threshold of about 178,000 signatures more than a month ago, after beginning its campaign in January.

Under provincial rules, Elections Alberta must verify the signatures before any referendum question can proceed. Premier Danielle Smith has said the province would move forward with a vote if the required number of valid signatures is confirmed, potentially placing the question on a provincewide ballot as early as October.

The petition effort is also facing a legal challenge. An Edmonton judge is expected to rule this week on a case brought by several Alberta First Nations, who argue the referendum initiative violates treaty rights.