(Dreamstime)

By The Canadian Press

Provincial Politics

Alberta government amends referendum bill in effort to placate First Nations’ concern

May 15, 2025 | 10:16 AM

Alberta’s government has made 11th-hour changes to controversial proposed legislation declaring that no separation referendum question could threaten First Nations’ existing treaty rights.

Premier Danielle Smith’s government is working to considerably lower the threshold to allow for citizen-initiated referendums, including whether the province should separate from Canada.

Her government’s proposed bill has yet to become law.

Chiefs of Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation and Mikisew Cree First Nation say the amendments mean nothing, and the bill still needs to be shredded.

Opposition NDP Indigenous relations critic Brooks Arcand-Paul says the United Conservative provincial government cannot threaten treaties it has no authority over, and is merely paying lip service.

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Smith is appealing to First Nations leaders for their help in lobbying Ottawa for what she calls a “fair share” of federal funding for the province, and she is offering changes to the legislation as a gesture of goodwill.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 14, 2025.

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