Premier Danielle Smith announced Thursday the upcoming Alberta referendum on Oct. 19 will include a new question about whether Albertans want, at a future date, to hold a binding referendum on the province leaving Canada.
“Kicking the can down the road only prolongs a very emotional and important debate,” Smith said in televised speech. “It’s time to have a vote, understand the will of Albertans on this subject, and move on.”
Here’s what some are saying about the premier’s announcement:
Lori Williams
Mount Royal University political scientist
“I think what she’s trying to do is satisfy both those who want to remain in Canada and those who want a separatism referendum — and she’s likely to satisfy neither.”
Errol Mendes
Constitutional legal expert
“She may not be aware that creating this Pandora’s Box opening, it could create other issues which could utterly, undermine everything she’s aiming for and in fact, even destroy her own party.”
Jason Kenney
Former premier of Alberta
“We are a smart, hard working, innovative and loyal people. Those who went before us built one of the most prosperous and generous societies on Earth. And we’re not going to let anyone tear apart our home, the true North strong and free. It’s time to fight for our country. Alberta: let’s lead, not leave.”
Rob Anderson
Alberta premier’s chief of staff
“It’s time for Albertans to decide whether we want to spend time, expense and effort pursuing separation or whether Albertans want to remain, continue to work on undoing the last 10 years of horrendous Trudeau-era policies and fight for a stronger Alberta within a united Canada.”
Jeff Rath
Lawyer for Stay Free Alberta separatist group behind referendum petition tied up in court
“She’s just alienated the most hardcore portion of her base…. The 301,620 people that signed the petition are smart enough to see through it, and she has just created an unstoppable political force in the province of Alberta that will be rallying against her.”
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Andrew Knack
Mayor of Edmonton
“Premier Smith’s government is causing severe economic uncertainty that will only result in lost investment and lost jobs that we all rely on… When the separatist agenda and virtue signalling take priority over stable and collaborative governance, Albertans lose out.”
Jeromy Farkas
Mayor of Calgary
“Voting on whether to have a vote is a ridiculous lack of provincial leadership. Calgary is a globally connected city. Separation uncertainty is costing us jobs.”
Cam Davies
Leader of the pro-independence Republican Party of Alberta
“A vote to have a vote is the literal definition of kicking the can down the road.”
Thomas Lukaszuk
Organizer of the pro-Canada Forever Canadian petition
“Danielle Smith decided that six months of a divisive campaign and economic damage to Alberta isn’t long enough. She wants to hold a referendum on holding a referendum to break up Canada.”
Naheed Nenshi
Alberta Opposition NDP Leader
“This spring and summer, we’re going to be knocking on doors, we’re going to be talking to our neighbours, we’re going to be mobilizing, we’re going to make sure that Danielle Smith and the separatists get the defeat they so richly deserve.”
Doug Ford
Premier of Ontario, on whether he would initiate a similar vote
“I wouldn’t do it. Smith is just doing this for the 30 per cent of Albertans who are her base — separation would be a disaster.”
Corey Hogan
Alberta Liberal member of Parliament
“This baffling, referendum-on-a-referendum question will do nothing to settle anything. It adds another layer of confusion. It will divide. It will distract. It will damage.”
Dominic LeBlanc
Federal intergovernmental affairs minister
“As we take note of Premier Smith’s address this evening, we remain focused on building a stronger Canada for all in full partnership with Alberta and to the benefit of all Albertans and all Canadians.”
Billy-Joe Tuccaro
Chief of Mikisew Cree First Nation
“The question announced today is intended to be the beginning of the end of Treaty, in a manufactured UCP separatist crisis. A year ago, no one was talking about this.”
Sheldon Sunshone
Chief of Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation
“We’ve seen the Premier move the goalpost on this issue numerous times, accommodating a small minority. And that was just another step. She said a lot of things, but still saying the same thing… when they talk about sovereignty for the province of Alberta, that’s basically an attack on First Nations sovereignty.”
Pierre Poilievre
Federal Conservative Leader
“I’m a strong Canadian federalist, a proud Albertan and a proud Canadian. I want a strong Alberta within a united Canada, and all Conservatives will be campaigning for Canadian unity in Alberta.”
Nancy Southern
CEO of ATCO Ltd.
“It’s in my heart and soul to be a proud Canadian as well as a proud Albertan. I don’t believe this discussion should have gone as far as it has.”
Trevor Mercredi
Grand Chief of Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta
“Treaty Nations are not idle on this issue. We will continue to defend the Constitution, uphold the Treaty relationship, and ensure our rights, lands, and jurisdictions are respected.”
Christine Frechette
Premier of Quebec, on if Alberta would revive Quebec’s separatism movement
“We’ll let Albertans decide for themselves.”
— With files from The Canadian Press
It is a wonder that any notion of alberta separation never flourished until a corrupt jackass, south of the 49th, decided he wants Canada’s resources! And all of his minions have declared they will break Canada so they can confiscate its resources and take full control of its ports and the northwest passage. How much power and wealth is that worth to a corrupt jackass?
What does alberta look like after a decades long separation process, where you lose the rights to resources! If you don’t believe that, look it up! I have yet to get a coherent answer or comprehensive plan from even one separatist! And I have tried, believe me! They just demand we blindly act like the proverbial lemmings collectively running over the edge of a cliff!
Albertans thought Quebec was whiney and selfish in its demands for preservation of their culture and language! What do you call a separatist demand to break Canada for the sole purpose of enriching the despot of another country?
Be careful what you wish for alberta! There are many fates much, much worse than the one you currently enjoy! Under a despot, you have zero rights!
Isn’t it funny that it’s come to THIS to make Ottawa pay attention to Alberta? Every other province was happy to see Alberta take it in the rump for the rest of Canada, through 15 years of Liberal Governments trying to destroy Canada’s biggest resource.
How do you like us NOW?
put the separatists in jail
All you haters keep it up. There are no reasons for Alberta to stay. Please keep helping Alberta independence.
it is *NOT* *YOUR* *FCKING* *LAND*
This trash talking abusive province has done EVERYTHING possible to destroy it’s relationship with the country and every other province, thinking it’s special, overstating it’s importance, complaining about the same taxes everyone else pays, hitting us up for corporate handouts, welching on clean up costs, welching on royalties.. They are non participants and bad faith actors, and do not deserve sympathy they are not victims. They deserve discipline.
I’m out. One less place to travel. Bye bye Lake Louise, Banff, Sunshine. Flames, nice knowing you.
Alberta should stay part of Canada. I have lived in Metro Vancouver all my 55 years. I am so sick of all the issues that plague Metro Van. I am planning on moving to Alberta within the next 5 years but if they decide to separate, no thanks… that will change my plans. Even though the process to actually separate is very complex and won’t be easy, my next move will be my last and I don’t want to chance it.
Does no one realize that if we separate that the USA will take us over. They want our oil. I have heard these comments from some Americans.
Will the rest of Canada fight for us?
The witch wants to secede from Canada, that shouldn’t happen. Mark Carney must do everything possible that it never happens.
All of the people commenting have little vested interest in Alberta, they are all political opportunists pressing their own partisanship. How much does a big chief in Alberta stand to loose when Alberta audits the band. The Crown government parades highly paid indigenous subjugates as a reason for staying in Canada while most indigenous people in Canada live below the poverty line. Many Albertan chiefs subjugate their own communities for personal benefit – they also oppose transparency.. Audit the chiefs and compare them to the communities they serve, see the inequalities for yourself. Chiefs live like kings, Canada is a bought and paid for crown racket.
Governor smith of the maga separatist party of the imaginary 51 state is the leader.
Maga –
More ons
Are
Governoring
Alberta
Canada doesn’t need governor smith and her seperatists to get pipelines coast to coast.
Governor smith of the maga separatist party of the imaginary 51 state is the leader.
Maga –
Morton’s
Are you
Governoring
Alberta
Canada doesn’t need governor smith and her seperatists to get pipelines coast to coast.
Then get rid of Danielle Smith
The natives are so upset. If the separatists win, they will be forced to receive only the moneys that the treaty gives them rights to. No more federal government hand outs. Aw…
However they have nothing to fear, the ‘loud, angry majority’ want to stay in Canada.
However, maybe the Federal government will change, and the bales of undeserved cash will stop.
And maybe Rob Wise will be correct. But the Canadian courts are reluctant to rule in favour of Canadians.
Please God. Just one more oil boom. I promise not to blow all the money this time.
Dont you know people. The only true leader is our lord and savior. The world is in chaos because of Satan you should read Bible its prophesied all.
Sad what’s happening but its was bound to happen.
So Alberta has a law allowing referendums. Albertans gathered enough signatures to trigger a binding referendum. So instead of referendum on the question that the referendum petition asked for the Alberta Government decided to have a referendum to ask whether there should be another referendum asking the same question that was just asked?
Makes a person’s head spin. The independence movement will take this to the Supreme Court and Canadian Law will prevail and I am confident we will have a proper question on independence in October.
Want to sperate fine go ahead, however you should get nothing from Canada again, you should be treated as an enemy country. All border crossing monitored, any good coming from Alberta taxed heavily.
I view Danielle Smith as a power obsessed traitor to the Canada that my parents and grandparents sacrificed so much to build and that has been the envy of the world.
Danielle Smith welcomed the support of far right entities in the UCP and those they recruited to become leader. That mud will not wash off and we have a Premier who has to appease Crazytown to maintain power. So this will not be the end of confusion Albertans will need to suffer from our homegrown M’AB’GA cult.
I am one of the 301,620 that signed the petition. I think what Smith is doing is actually the best thing for Alberta, and the best thing for the separatist agenda at this time. Right now there is no way a referendum on actual separation is A) going to gain a majority or B) be binding. There are too many unknowns, no groundwork laid for actual successful separation at this time. What this referendum question will do though, if enough Albertans say yes they are willing to actual put this possibility truly on the table is give Canada notice that we truly are feeling that the country is not working for Alberta at this time.
We should not vote if we don’t know what the deal is? Yes and No cannot be defined. Never say never it may be great, maybe stays the same! Please look at the deal!
Go separate yourself back to your mother country b smith,you won’t be missed b
There’s a zero per cent chance Alberta separates. Quebec had a far better chance because they were doing it for their culture and heritage. Alberta’s separatists are just greedy Trump morons.
As usual, picked up the wrong bone Danielle
The only ones with bewilderment/concern are those that do not want the populace to have a vote on the two referendums. On a pragmatic line, we have a list of questions coming up this fall in what is called Alberta Referendum. For the separation question, this will show level of support without having all the constitutional issues getting involved. For those in the separation camp, the fall “Alberta Referendum” questions does not stop you from persuing a true separation referendum. You have a lot more hoops to go through prior to that happening. Just because you got 300,000 signatures doesn’t mean you bypass all the legalities now. And let’s be honest, at end of day although there is strong support for separation, the numbers aren’t there to actually get it done. As to the pro-Canada side, get off your butts and make your case now. Just bad-mouthing the separarist side is non-productive to the extreme. What we have is a family with about half of members not overally happy with the present situation. So if have typical family unit of four, the two that think life is great can’t just stick their heads in the sand in regards the two that aren’t happy. Recipe for disaster. As is just yelling at the two unhappy ones telling them they are idiots. All that can work is a lot of talk as to the issues and coming up with solutions that can work for all. So in conclusion for you pro-separatists; you don’t have the numbers so put you points of contention out there and get them addressed as best you can. For the pro-Canada bunch, ignoring or disparaging the separatists is at the heart non-democratic and done at your own peril.
Me know understand
I implore you to do some internal reflection.
What benefits does alberta have to stay in this wicked confederation?
I cant think of any at this point.
A referendum on having a referendum. What a waste of Alberta’s taxpayers money. On a good news day 35% of Albertan’s want to leave Canada. Even if it hits 40% that is still not a majority. This Wexit thing was done a long time ago. Been there, done that. Canada can do better.
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Biased much?
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