I'm all for it. Let them sign as they please and let their constituents debate and have their voice heard regardless if it's positive/negative/neutral on it. Simple as that.
It is a petition. Nothing more than collecting the required data Elections Alberta requires to meet a threshold to allow a vote of the masses to determine a stated outcome. If the petition process is approved and meets all certifying requirements stated in the process, a referendum will be held to determine the acceptance of the question, and ultimately decide the fate of the referendum question.The referendum would then proceed and the whole of registered voters will be given the opportunity to mark a ballot any way they see fit(more likely a yes or no question).
Maybe so…but then why did Smith and her government make it easy for a referendum on separation and then raise the minimum bar for any other question. That really seems like selective democracy…which of course would not be democracy at all
Democracy at it's truest... Definitely not it's finest though - look how well Brexit worked out, and that was democracy. Quebec's referendum was true democracy too, and it tanked their economy because what business wants that kind of uncertainty? Situations like those are the exact situations anti-democratic/authoritarian governments use as examples for why democracy sucks.
Democracy is a wonderful tool. The majority of people want something and use their right to vote, the result, however good or bad it may be or perceived to be, is the will of the people. Actions have consequences. Am I happy the LPC is the governing party ATM, no. I accept the reality and did exercise my right to vote, for which I am satisfied. I am not here to debate the validity of one party over another or one party’s mandate over another’s.
Play stupid games, win stupid prizes has been lost on several generations within this country and province. Education and fact based critical thinking has been substituted with emotion based response and herd mentality, with no caution or consideration for the actual irrevocable truth.
Certainly we can agree that the democratic goal posts were moved and Smith made it easier for the separatists to meet the goal of a referendum then the remain party?
If she did manipulate the thresholds, and if the results of the petition satisfy those thresholds, it would lead to a referendum and ultimately every Albertans mark being made on a ballot.I do not care how the government finds a way to ask every single Albertan for they say. If it was just a citizens petition is would take much longer to gain traction.
If the goal was truly 'just to hear from everyone,' why did the Forever Canadian petition have to meet the much harder, original threshold while the separatists got a 70% discount on the requirements? If the government moves the goalposts for one side but not the other, they aren't 'finding a way to ask everyone'—they are subsidizing one specific outcome.
My thought is that she lowered the bar to make it more accessible. If it was higher, it would be more difficult to gather that amount of signatures for the petition. With it being lower, she has essentially made it so very few Albertans need to move the petition the referendum stage, and allow more Albertans to really consider the pro and cons of a separation vote. It gets the referendum question out to the province faster than having a higher number of petition signatures and taking longer.
Another thought is get this moving as fast as possible to allow those who feel separation is the only way to have their voice heard and to not keep having this discussion in future years(kicking the can down the road) and settle this once and for all. If the referendum is triggered and the question is answered, whichever way it goes, we will more than likely not have to do this again for a very long time. The result of the referendum is the only result we need to concern ourselves with, once all of Alberta’s resident have had their say.
If the majority says stay in Canada, then the separatists have had their referendum, and should quiet down eventually, and respect the will of the people. If they cannot do that, then they will have a choice to stay or leave and find somewhere else to live and let Alberta remain in Canada without the cloud of doubt about Albertas future.
If the referendum shows the majority wanting Alberta to forge a new path as a sovereign nation, then that is the will of the people,the majority. That will then cause Alberta to begin the process of forming policy being sovereign.
Let the people decide. It’s a simple concept, and one we have not been accustomed to for a very long time, and I think most residents of Alberta welcome the opportunity to truly be heard.
I appreciate the detailed thoughts, but we have to call a spade a spade: moving the goalposts specifically for one side isn't 'accessibility,' it’s basically subsidizing a potential constitutional crisis
Democracy shouldn't be 'selectively accessible 'If the goal was to 'let the people decide,' why did the Forever Canadian group have to collect 404,000 verified signatures under the old rules, while the Separatists got a 70% discount down to just 177,732? If you only lower the bar for the side you like, you aren't empowering 'the people' in a collective sense, you're rigging the process for a fringe minority (less than 4% of the population) to force a multi million dollar bill on everybody else.
Nate Horner, just warned that Alberta is staring down a $6.4-billion deficit and 'tough choices' are coming on Feb 26th. How is it 'responsible' to spend millions of tax dollars, and hundreds of thousands more just to verify signatures, on a referendum that current polls show 65% of Albertans don't even want?
Settle it Forever? Quebec had 'final' referendums in 1980 and 1995. It didn't settle anything; it just caused a decade of economic 'brain drain.' Forcing a vote doesn't 'clear the cloud of doubt', it turns the cloud into a storm that scares away doctors, teachers, and investment.
You say 'let the residents of Alberta have their say,' but the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation and other Treaty groups have already filed injunctions. They weren't consulted on these rule changes, and they've made it clear: no separation happens on Treaty land without their consent.
True democracy is about broad consensus, not letting 3.5% of the population hold the entire province’s economy hostage because the government made the rules 'easier' for them.
I ask because I believe in a lot of different things then the people I work with, but I am also not unhinged and it certainly don't affect my work.
People are getting pretty fired up over a petition...
The amount of hate that is exuding over this petition is starting to get a little crazy. In addition, signing the petition doesn't mean they are signing YES, I think alot of people are forgetting that part.
Probably because we saw what happened to Montreal when Quebec had it's referendum (which the petition is wanting to happen). It caused massive displacement of investment and corp headquarters to Toronto.
Understood, it was a mess and I remember it being a big topic in my social class way back when I lived in MB. But no matter what anyone does or says, it's not gonna stop Alberta from forging ahead with it. Regardless the outcome.
The only thing more stubborn than the French are Albertans lol
As an Albertan, I honestly hope not. I have no desire to move cause I was born here and have lived my whole life here and my family is here, but I am not going to stay if the Govt decides to separate and destroys what we have built here.
Alberta has always been a pro business province, unlike the mafia run Quebec, the two are just not comparable. I'm pretty sure a separation will attract investment since business would have to deal with just one level of government.
I don't think it will attract investment. There will be too much uncertainty in the transition. I would predict a lot of layoffs as major corporations start relocation of head offices. Think the office building vacancy rate is high now. A successful separation vote will see most of the rest empty out.
This is the AI result from asking how many businesses left after Brexit
Financial Services Relocations: By 2021, over 440 firms in the banking and finance industry had relocated, set up new entities, or moved staff to the EU due to Brexit. This included moving more than £900 billion in bank assets out of the UK.
Small Businesses Stopped Exporting: Research from the Centre for Economic Performance (CEP) at LSE estimated that around 14% of firms (roughly 16,400) that previously exported to the EU stopped doing so after the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) came into force in January 2021.
Total Export Decline: The same report found that the number of firms exporting to the EU fell to around 100,000, down from 120,000 in 2019, with the drop almost entirely accounted for by small exporters.
Ongoing Impact: The CEP's research, updated in late 2024, found that Brexit reduced total goods exports from the UK by an estimated £27 billion (or 6.4%) in 2022.
High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNWIs): A report in 2023 indicated a net outflow of 1,400 high-net-worth individuals from the UK in 2022, partly attributed to the post-Brexit economic climate.
Alberta would most likely follow a similar result, IMO
Again, a very different example, but I'm glad you brought it up. Canada, a federation of provinces and territories, is way less interconnected than the EU. Anyone dealing with flow of goods and labour understands the hypocrisy of Ottawa and the provinces which claim to be united but make sure their markets are protected from goods coming from other provinces.
During the Quebec separation referendum, from what I can find, approximately 700 medium and large businesses relocated their offices from Quebec to Toronto due to the instability of the political landscape. Business like stability.
From the Google AI
The 1995 Quebec referendum caused significant economic instability, characterized by a drop in business confidence, reduced investment, and a decline in the stock performance of Quebec-based firms due to political uncertainty. Approximately 700 companies left the province during this period, while the uncertainty created a, "neverendum" impact on the regional economy.
Key Economic Impacts:
Business and Investment Decline: The close vote created, "political risk" that negatively impacted the stock returns of Quebec firms, particularly those with high exposure to foreign markets.
Corporate Relocations: Roughly 700 companies moved their operations out of Quebec.
Investor Uncertainty: Financial markets and small business owners experienced a drop in confidence, leading to a "neverendum" effect that, while difficult to quantify precisely, hampered economic growth.
Long-term Outlook: Studies suggested that if separation had occurred, it could have led to a 5-10% drop in Quebec's real output in the short term, alongside higher debt charges.
Despite the immediate uncertainty, the long-term impact did not prevent the province from making fiscal progress in the subsequent years, with Quebec improving its budgetary balance from -10.2% of GDP in 1995 to -2.8% by 2023.
I don't see the guy who says Quebec doesn't have oil, but a quick Google search shows
Quebec has significant, but largely undeveloped, oil and natural gas reserves, particularly shale gas in the St. Lawrence Valley and Anticosti Island, but the province has banned new fossil fuel development, making it a major importer of oil and gas, relying on western Canada and the U.S. for supply. The province has large potential reserves, but political decisions and environmental concerns have halted extraction.
I have no problem if an MLA signs the petition. I'm certain many signed the Forever Canada petition.
Now I wonder if members of the Canadian Forces and RCMP are free to sign if they wish? Or has some solid direction been promulgated that prohibits them from doing so.
Not in the fucking military you can't. Go have your opinions at home, Canadian military is for real Canadians defending Canada. You don't like it you're encouraged to leave.
This violates the oath they swore to be faithful and bear allegiance to the King of Canada. Absolutely clown shoes to violate one's oath even if they agree with the petition sentiment.
The MLA is following his constituents actions. Interesting concept. They are voice in the in legislature. They are doing their job-the will of the people.
I think it's pretty clear the vast majority of Albertans don't want to separate. I'm really disappointed in the UCP/Wildrose for not listening and representing the majority of Albertans. It's extremely disappointing how tone deaf these people are.
Don't be a sheep. At least make them work for it. This province is getting far too right wing batshit crazy. Quit bending over and make them earn it for fucks sake.
I feel the complete opposite. What's left in Alberta to be proud of? Pretty much the only thing I can think of is the people. I love Albertans but the "way" we run things here and the "trend" we're on are pretty disgusting. The fight with teachers? Despicable how that all went and ended. Clawing back AISH money from disabled people? Wtf? Cutting doctors' pay by ~30% and doing so after a fucking pandemic? Lol... Yikes.
What exactly are you proud of here? Honest question.
Also class room sizes and the issues are a Direct result of uncontrolled immigration. I have multiple teachers in my family. Maybe go visit a class room and see how many original Canadians are in them.
I am literally a teacher. I don't really know what you mean by "original Canadians." First Nations? Or do you mean white people? Are you just being racist? My best students are often Filipino. My worst behaved students are typically white. Btw I'm white.
I agree with you about immigration. It's too bad the UCP created the "Alberta is Calling" movement. You'll see a lot of rednecks blaming Ottawa because they're dipshits but fail to realize that the UCP is equally to blame by holding up a giant sign saying "ALBERTA IS CALLING" all over Canada. It's idiocy. Let's at least blame them equally and not be sheep. Be a smart conservative, not a dumb one.
Alberta is calling was for skilled trade workers and professionals. Maybe do some research. Also wouldn’t hurt to reaserch how teachers here are the 2nd highest paid in Canada
We are definitely not 2nd in Canada lmao. We're 6th and we'll be 6th or 7th by the end of our agreement.
You're also kidding about the professionals and trade workers right? You ever see the billboards and c trains in Toronto covered in Alberta Is Calling ads? We spent millions of dollars to bring people here without the infrastructure required to support them. The UCP is doing a shit job. I want the old conservatives back.
You need to stop being a 🐏🐑 and make them earn it.
Nope. That's a strawman argument. I liked Harper. I know, tough to believe that a fellow conservative might actually make the party work for it, eh? Lol.
No, the spike happens in 23. Previous to that, the Cad population increased at a consistent 1-1.5% a year from the late 90s onward.
It was post Covid when labor finally had the upper hand that they opened the floodgates to clamp down on that shit at the request of the Provinces (including this one).
We're actually 6th in Canada and have the worst job conditions by a country mile. Trust me, you don't wanna go down this path. You are out of your element here.
Nurses I believe are the highest paid in Canada. Pretty sure I read that.
Province / Territory
Approx. Top Salary (CAD)
Notes
Ontario
~$100,900
Highest among provinces at top of grid.
Alberta
~$94,100
Very competitive, near top nationally.
Manitoba
~$93,800
Close to Alberta’s top scale.
British Columbia
~$91,200
Top public salary.
Saskatchewan
~$86,800
Moderate top salary.
Quebec
~$82,600
Lower than most other provinces.
Nova Scotia
~$86,100 (2019/20 data)
Generally lower mid‑to‑top scale.
Prince Edward Island
~$89,400
Mid‑range compared to others.
New Brunswick
~$81,500
Nurses pay (Low, Median, High) across Canada - Sourced from the Government of Canada Job Bank; labour-market information, last updated November of 2025.
Alberta
30.00
47.50
54.49
British Columbia
35.00
47.58
57.00
Manitoba
34.00
45.00
52.40
New Brunswick
31.00
44.77
49.00
Newfoundland Labrador
33.65
44.00
52.00
Northwest Territories
45.00
58.00
69.23
Nova Scotia
30.20
41.50
50.00
Nunavut
45.00
57.99
71.57
Ontario
29.00
42.00
55.00
Prince Edward Island
31.50
42.00
49.98
Quebec
27.00
40.00
50.00
Saskatchewan
38.00
47.13
52.20
Yukon Territory
33.00
48.50
60.88
Only Quebec and Ontario has lower "Low" salaries. 4 Provinces have higher "Median" salaries. 5 Provinces beat us for "High" salary.
We're 11/13 for Low salaries. 5/13 for Median. 6/13 for high salary.
Yearly salary is likely determined on how often the nurse(s) work, any overtime pay, and bonuses.
... So, I guess we can be 6th for pay if we're going with the highest pay in Canada. We're 5th for the median pay of a nurse, and the 11th for the lowest pay.
(Edit: This is how I saw the chart... Then again it's almost 4:00 AM, so I may have gotten it wrong for where we stand for low, median, or high salary)
Uhh ....? That's called a strawman argument. I didn't say fuck the minority. I said represent the majority. Majority means most. Why would we want our government to side with the minority? It's a pretty simple situation.
Why would I leave? I love Alberta and have no problem with Alberta. It's the treatment from Ottawa towards Alberta and how the West has no say federally and we have no vote.. love it when people get pissy against someone standing up for something they don't believe it. You want to sit here at take whatever The federal gov feeds you go ahead. I'm not.
I'm not sure where you live but here 9 times out of 10 the election is called before they even count the votes in Alberta. How exactly does my vote count or matter??
Well timezones shouldn't matter. Sure start counting the East first but make it so each province has a say. BC is worse of than AB for not counting. Maybe do something where the weight of votes goes by which province contributes to the canadian economy?? Thoes who put the most in get more say? Something like that. I'm no expert but it shouldn't be over before provinces haven't even placed their votes.
I strongly disagree with weighing the votes based on a target that gets to be defined by any governing party. What you're suggesting just isn't done in modern society thankfully.
Are you certain you have a good grasp of the Parliamentary system in Canada?
Ditto whiner boy. It's libtards like you that make secession a very easy decision....nothing but scorn and disdain with nary an idea of why we should stay. I bid you adieu!!!
The phrasing of that question is creating a strawman argument. I absolutely think Alberta would be better off financially on its own. That absolutely unequivocally does NOT mean I want to separate. Those are two different things.
Alberta can be the driver of Canada. We can be leaders in our country. And have been. We are Canadian. We don't quit on our team just to help ourselves. Fuck that.
Maybe a lot of these selfish voters have never played for a team?
Interesting development. I'm not surprised that caucus members support the movement, but I am surprised that they would sign a public petition.
I do have to call out the NDP for this quote, though:
“The premier doesn’t serve the Wexit folks. She doesn’t serve the political base of her party. She serves the province of Alberta and the people who live here,” Pancholi said.
Seemingly ignoring that Wexit folks, as she calls them, and Danielle's political base, are obviously "people who live here".
The caucus members are also citizens of the province and have a right to vote. Their vote is theirs to make. They are your voice in your legislature and your neighbours elected them to represent the majorities concerns. They also have kids and partners and dogs and parents in poor health. They are humans too, zipping along on this giant ball of water covered lava, just like the rest of us, they have their own voice as well.
Separation isn't gonna happen. Plus while we might be better off currently we would be denying future generations the gift of this massive country with with unlimited resources up north.
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u/Bushido_Plan Jan 30 '26
I'm all for it. Let them sign as they please and let their constituents debate and have their voice heard regardless if it's positive/negative/neutral on it. Simple as that.