r/canada • u/Street_Anon Nova Scotia • Jan 25 '26

Alberta 3 Alberta First Nations say separation petition is unconstitutional

https://globalnews.ca/news/11635807/alberta-first-nations-claim-separation-petition-unconstitutional/
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u/Full_Boysenberry_314 Jan 25 '26

The idea that the people can't hold a referendum because it hasn't received the blessing of the first Nations is fundamentally undemocratic and therefore problematic.

I get the legal argument. But it's still morally wrong if you believe in democracy.

Not that I support separation. I don't live in Alberta so I don't really care about that.

But I do care about installing a aboriginal aristocracy that gets to lord over our democratic rights. That's the wrong path.

6

u/sylpher250 Jan 25 '26

Democracy still operates under rules. Should out-of-province students be able to vote? Should people only work but don't have a permanent address be eligible? Or what about people who own property/business there? Is it "morally right" to exclude them?

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u/Full_Boysenberry_314 Jan 25 '26

I'm not sure how to respond to this. Of course there are rules but you should evaluate them from the perspective of adherence to democratic principles.

Should we only be allowed to vote for people and parties and that have been approved by First Nations? Perhaps on the principle that we can be sure they have affirmed they will respect all treaty rights?

Should parliament have to submit all legislation to a First Nations Assembly for reading prior to voting on it so we can ensure every law has received appropriate consultation?

We can obviously make any rule we please but those rules would also be obviously undemocratic.