All Things AB Separatism (split fm Liberal Minority Government 2025 - ???)

[MilEME09]

and in other news, to no surprise..... This gov really needs to come out and say they are separatists. ignore the courts and just do it.......

Alberta Premier Smith, minister call for separation referendum question be approved

Premier Danielle Smith and one of her ministers are calling on Alberta’s electoral officer to reverse course and sign off on a proposed referendum question on separation, saying it shouldn’t be held back by red tape.

www.ctvnews.ca

 

[RangerRay]

and in other news, to no surprise..... This gov really needs to come out and say they are separatists. ignore the courts and just do it.......

Alberta Premier Smith, minister call for separation referendum question be approved

Premier Danielle Smith and one of her ministers are calling on Alberta’s electoral officer to reverse course and sign off on a proposed referendum question on separation, saying it shouldn’t be held back by red tape.

www.ctvnews.ca

Definitely not the actions of someone who favours a united Canada…

 

[QV]

Wouldn't you rather just let the vote happen and a) put the issue to rest, or b) find out a majority support?

The whole country was good with Quebec getting two shots at this...

 

[Blackadder1916]

I would rather that the government followed the law, especially since it is the current bunch that wrote it just a few months ago.

 

[The Bread Guy]

Wouldn't you rather just let the vote happen and a) put the issue to rest, or b) find out a majority support?

The whole country was good with Quebec getting two shots at this...

And you'd be comfortable with a Liberal government wanting to set a national referendum question and, instead of running the question by a judge first, just have its own DoJ and legal apparatus go over things once a question was approved?

and in other news, to no surprise..... This gov really needs to come out and say they are separatists. ignore the courts and just do it.......

Alberta Premier Smith, minister call for separation referendum question be approved

Premier Danielle Smith and one of her ministers are calling on Alberta’s electoral officer to reverse course and sign off on a proposed referendum question on separation, saying it shouldn’t be held back by red tape.

www.ctvnews.ca

Just to add to this, here's what AB's Chief Electoral Officer had to say about the what and why of the referral, for the record:

The Chief Electoral Officer is an independent, non-partisan Officer of the Legislature.

The Citizen Initiative Act permits important questions that have constitutional implications to be put to a referendum. The constitutional referendum question proposed is:

Do you agree that the Province of Alberta shall become a sovereign country and cease to be a province in Canada?

This is a serious and significant question, with the potential to have profound impact on all Albertans.

The Chief Electoral Officer has responsibility under the Citizen Initiative Act to determine if the requirements of s.2 of that Act have been met. One of those requirements set out in section 2(4) of the Act is that “An initiative petition proposal must not contravene sections 1 to 35.1 of the Constitution Act, 1982”.

Given the potential implications of the constitutional referendum proposal and given the Legislature has expressly authorized the Chief Electoral Officer to state a question seeking the opinion of the Court, the Chief Electoral Officer has referred a question to the Court for its opinion.

The Chief Electoral Officer has requested the Court provide an opinion on the following question:

Does the following proposal contravene section 2(4) of the Citizen Initiative Act, in that it contravenes any or all of sections 1 through 35.1 of the Constitution Act, 1982:

“Do you agree that the Province of Alberta shall become a sovereign country and cease to be a province in Canada?”

Without limiting the scope of the question posed, does the proposal contravene any of the following sections?

• Section 1 – The guarantee of the rights contained in the Charter
• Section 3 – Democratic rights of citizens
• Section 6 – Mobility rights
• Section 7 – Right to life, liberty and security of the person
• Section 15 – Equality before and under law and equal protection and benefit of law
• Section 24 – Enforcement of guaranteed rights and freedoms
• Section 35 – Recognition of existing aboriginal and treaty rights

In seeking the opinion of the Court, the Chief Electoral Officer is fulfilling his duty under the Citizen Initiative Act in an independent, neutral and non-partisan manner.

Elections Alberta is an independent, non-partisan office of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta responsible for administering provincial elections, by-elections, and referendums.

Statement also archived here in case original link doesn't work.

 

[Brad Sallows]

Wouldn't you rather just let the vote happen and a) put the issue to rest, or b) find out a majority support?

The whole country was good with Quebec getting two shots at this...

Not my recollection. At least a few people who mattered were genuinely worried, and there was also substantial anger at perceived mishandling of Canada's counter-efforts by Chretien on the second attempt. If you mean the country was "good" with Quebec pursuing a legitimate process in asking the question, perhaps.

 

[QV]

Not my recollection. At least a few people who mattered were genuinely worried, and there was also substantial anger at perceived mishandling of Canada's counter-efforts by Chretien on the second attempt. If you mean the country was "good" with Quebec pursuing a legitimate process in asking the question, perhaps.

Yes I mean that in general terms.

 

[rmc_wannabe]

And you'd be comfortable with a Liberal government wanting to set a national referendum question and, instead of running the question by a judge first, just have its own DoJ and legal apparatus go over things once a question was approved?

Just to add to this, here's what AB's Chief Electoral Officer had to say about the what and why of the referral, for the record:

Statement also archived here in case original link doesn't work.

I think the Chief Electoral Officer is being prudent in his approach, and I think the Court may well deem the initiative would be against the Charter. My main reason is that the aforementioned sections would be violated if Alberta did manage to separate, as Alberta does not have subsequent constitutional protections that are equivalent or greater. Section 35 is a big one.

I think these are problems ANY province would have to face if they planned on separating, and I think the Constitution was shaped in such a way to maintain the integrity of Confederation, more so than build in off ramps for succession.

 

[QV]

There are certainly differences in sentiment with the last Quebec effort vs Alberta's effort. During the last Quebec effort, I recall, there was this sentiment of unity and a more positive public approach to maintaining a united Canada. Whereas the Alberta effort is met with only hostility and a "how dare you" attitude. I'm not sure how the "f**k you" approach will impact things, but it's telling.

 

[Blackadder1916]

There are certainly differences in sentiment with the last Quebec effort vs Alberta's effort. During the last Quebec effort, I recall, there was this sentiment of unity and a more positive public approach to maintaining a united Canada. Whereas the Alberta effort is met with only hostility and a "how dare you" attitude. I'm not sure how the "f**k you" approach will impact things, but it's telling.

How well do you actually remember the sentiment of the country 30 years ago and 45 years ago (when Quebec held referendums)?

And social media back then consisted of bunches of guys sitting around taverns complaining.

 

[rmc_wannabe]

There are certainly differences in sentiment with the last Quebec effort vs Alberta's effort. During the last Quebec effort, I recall, there was this sentiment of unity and a more positive public approach to maintaining a united Canada.

I see no difference in the unified approach or wanting to maintain a united Canada. Including within Alberta proper. Which brings me to your second point...

Whereas the Alberta effort is met with only hostility and a "how dare you" attitude. I'm not sure how the "f**k you" approach will impact things, but it's telling.

The separatist narrative in Alberta is a loud, vocal, and imported minority. I think the "F**k you/ how dare you" approach is towards the select few in government that are pushing this on their citizens (who have been remarkably ho hum about the whole ordeal).

Do I think that Alberta has legitimate gripes, both historical and current? 100 percent. Do I feel the majority of Albertans want to pursue the path of separatism and seeing everything get degrees upon degrees shittier as an "independent" country? Hell no.