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Citizen initiative application for anti-separation referendum approved

Jun 30, 2025 | 2:22 PM

A Citizen Initiative application for an ani-separation referendum has been approved by Alberta’s Chief Electoral Officer, Gordon McClure.

As a result, a notice of initiative petition was issued by the chief electoral officer.

The initiative, led by Alberta citizen Thomas Lukaszuk, proposed the referendum that was received on June 5 with the question,” Do you agree that Alberta should remain in Canada?”

According to the application, Lukaszuk is motivated by the fact that Alberta’s separation is being actively discussed. In addition, since a referendum is imminent, it should be objective, according to the applicant. He also says the majority of Albertans are loyal to Canada and are opposed to separation.

“Separation will threaten the Canadian as well as the Alberta economy, the wealth of Albertan’s, the Canadian citizenship rights of Alberta residents, the treaty rights of our First Nations, and have many other serious and negative consequences,” as written in the application.

The Notice of Initiative Petition can be found on Elections Alberta Citizen Initiative petition page.

Now, Lukaszuk must appoint a chief financial officer by July 30. Once the CFO has been appointed and the 30-day publication period is complete, Elections Alberta will issue the citizen initiative petition.

Elections Alberta will also publish a notice saying the petition has been issued and the number of signatures required. The initiative petition signature sheets and witness affidavits will then be issued.

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