A former deputy premier of Alberta has highlighted the overwhelming success of his petition aimed at solidifying the province’s commitment to remaining a part of Canada. Thomas Lukaszuk revealed that his petition has amassed over 456,000 signatures, surpassing the required 294,000 signatures necessary to trigger a potential referendum.
Standing before 61 boxes filled with signed petitions during a news conference on Tuesday, Lukaszuk emphasized, “[Those] 456,365 Albertans have unequivocally expressed their opposition to separatism.” He urged Premier Danielle Smith and Alberta MLAs to address the issue and put an end to any discussions of separation.
Emphasizing the significance of the petition, Lukaszuk stated, “Albertans are staunch supporters of their Canadian identity, aligning with fellow Canadians nationwide.” However, there has been no official statement from the Alberta government regarding the possibility of holding a referendum.
Launched as a response to separatist sentiments advocating for Alberta’s independence, the “Forever Canadian” petition posed the question, “Do you agree that Alberta should remain within Canada?” In contrast, an opposing group, the Alberta Prosperity Project, proposed a question asking if Alberta should become a sovereign country separate from Canada.
Lukaszuk expressed his hope that Premier Smith would not proceed with a referendum immediately. He acknowledged the emotional journey taken during the petition drive, covering over 7,000 kilometers across urban and rural areas in a 33-year-old bus over three months to gather signatures.
Reflecting on the experience, Lukaszuk mentioned, “The stories shared were poignant, evoking laughter and tears. Individuals signed the petition for deeply personal reasons, underscoring their strong attachment to their Canadian identity.” He described the process as a unifying and healing endeavor.
Elections Alberta confirmed the receipt of the signatures, outlining a 60-day verification process that includes confirming the authenticity of signatures and ensuring compliance with petition guidelines. The results are expected to be published by January 6.
Lukaszuk hailed his petition as the largest in Canadian history, expressing confidence in the thoroughness of the verification process. He expressed relief at the completion of the process, stating his intention to return to his routine activities.
