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Court Weighs Alberta Sovereignty Referendum Question as Unity Campaign Readies Signature Drive

Bill 54’s recent changes let Albertans launch competing referendums on sovereignty against guaranteed unity under separate signature thresholds.

An Alberta flag flaps in the breeze with Mt. Kidd in the background at the site of the G7 Leaders meeting in Kananaskis, Alta., Monday, June 2, 2025.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Minister of Justice Mickey Amery announce proposed changes to several pieces of democratic process legislation, in Edmonton on Tuesday April 29, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
Mitch Sylvestre, CEO of Alberta Prosperity Project. Sylvestre's question on separatism may violate Canada's constitution
Trevor Tombe, Economics Professor at the University of Calgary in 2024.

Overview

  • A Court of King’s Bench judge is examining Mitch Sylvestre’s proposed question on Alberta becoming a sovereign country for constitutional compliance with over 30 sections, including the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
  • If approved, Sylvestre must collect 177 000 signatures in four months under Bill 54 to place the separation question on a 2026 referendum ballot.
  • Elections Alberta approved Thomas Lukaszuk’s petition in June to enshrine permanent unity, which will require nearly 300 000 signatures within a 90-day period once collection begins.
  • The Alberta Prosperity Project has called the judicial referral a “delay tactic” and plans to challenge the decision in court, potentially prolonging the referendum schedule.
  • Introduced in May by Premier Danielle Smith’s government, Bill 54 lowered signature thresholds and extended petition periods to empower citizen-initiated referendums.