Alberta’s former deputy premier, Thomas Lukasuk, is accusing the UCP government of preventing the “Forever Canadian” petition from being voted on in the legislature.
More than 430,000 people signed the petition that asks the question, “Do you agree that Alberta should remain within Canada?”
Lukasuk has always maintained that he wanted to see a vote on the question take place in the Alberta legislature, before the end of the spring session on Friday.
But following a meeting on Monday by a legislative committee studying the petition, Lukaszuk accused the government of “ducking accountability.”
“Our premier, or duly elected MLAs just don’t have the fortitude, frankly — don’t have the guts to stand up in the chamber, in the legislature and declare whether they’re separatist or not,” said Lukaszuk.
Premier Danielle Smith and some other UCP MLAs have expressed confusion over the motive of the petition, saying, to them, it appears it was meant to be a referendum vote.
“What did the 400,000 people that went across the province, Albertans, when they signed their paperwork, what was presented to them?” asked UCP committee member Jason Nixon during the committee hearing on Monday.
Lukaszuk reacted to the government’s confusion by saying if he wanted a referendum he would have asked for a referendum, but he did not.
He has also expressed frustration that he hasn’t been called to speak to the committee to address their questions, despite the NDP calls for him to be invited.
The legislative committee is supposed to meet again, but so far no date has been set.
If the committee fails to table a report on the petition before the end of the current sitting, it would come back in the fall sitting, which is scheduled for late October, after the government’s planned referendum.
So, Dee Ironside, you think it will “embarrass” UCP MLAs to tell the truth about whether they are separatists or not?
Should they be embarrassed if they are or embarrassed if they are not?
UCP MLAs should have the balls to state their position on the separatists referendum. Just like Trump’s Republicans – no balls.
Lukie reminds me of Max Bernier. He is having a big temper tantrum.
Lukaszuk says “if he wanted a referendum he would have asked for a referendum”, well he did want it to go to a referendum. According to and article in Alberta Views January 1, 2026 when he was interviewed by Graham Thomson, this comment was made “Lukaszuk told me people had been signing up in droves. Forever Canadian’s official goal was to get at least 300,000 names, verified by the rules set by Elections Alberta, to move the question “Do you agree that Alberta should remain in Canada?” to the legislature for approval as an official referendum question in 2026” So yeah, now he’s afraid for it to go to a Referendum.
The UCP do not want any votes that will not go in their favour. Such as getting rid of daylight saving time, or getting rid of the sheriffs department, or not getting 2 tier health care. They would rather behave like the Liberals and Trump, just issuing a decree.
Put both petitions out for the people of Alberta to vote on.
The results could most interesting.
I do not think we will see a truly large ‘ground swell’ of seperation support from Alberta until Ottawa ‘reams us’ again. So Carney and friends beware and use this opportunity to take Alberta seriously.
Looks like Lukasuk does not want this to go to a democratic referendum vote. This petition appears to just be a vehicle to try and embarrass UCP MLAs. Thus giving the loupy left of centre some targets to harass. Put it out for the rest of Albertans to vote on. The left always avoids letting all the peasants vote on anything. To frightened of the potential results.
Just another LIEberal WOMBAT. ( waste of money brains and time.
Premier Danielle Smith and some other UCP MLAs have expressed confusion over the motive of the petition.
Dumb as a box of rocks. Even my cat can see the motive: make every MLA publicly state whether they are separatists or not so their voters will know. The UCP can’t be open and honest about anything.
Go back to odd-a-wahhh. The west is Fxxking done with it all.
No representation, over taxation and absolute ignorance to our needs…
We are out.
easy just convince albertans to go door to door and collect real signatures with verified addresses just like stay free alberta did. its easy now its not -30 and snowing. all you need is 178k ignatures. that should be a cake walk considering he got 400k right? thats the beauty of alberta democracy. anyone can make a petition. gooo carney
@Freakalberta: You misspelled your very first attempt at a word. It’s “too.” You did it again in your second attempt at a sentence too.
Clownvoyer.
To scared to vote on What? Lipshit was to scared to put it forward as a constitutional question. His signatures were not verified. And if he really wants to force it go ahead because the opposite of remaining in Canada is leaving ethier way he loses