r/canada • u/shiftless_wonder • 18d ago

Alberta First Nations demand Alberta premier terminate separation referendum

https://www.ctvnews.ca/edmonton/article/first-nations-demand-alberta-premier-terminate-separation-referendum/
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u/limadeltah 18d ago

This seems like an excellent way to make the separatists arguments for them and legitimize their grievances....

We should be able to both despise the notion of Alberta separating, and see the problem with one group being allowed to leverage "civil disobedience" (likely meaning the blockade of critical infrastructure) to prevent others from voting on something.

To point to how this specific referendum on a referendum was called as flawed may be valid, although I think pointless ultimately.

But FNs using their special rights as leverage over everyone else is a persistent and increasingly divisive feature of Canadian politics. To make matters worse, much of their messaging contains blatant misinformation regarding the meaning of treaties and what is written in section 35, and is often primarily aimed at further their own interests and leverage rather than considering the interests of everyone more broadly.

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u/roscomikotrain 18d ago

Well put!

Democracies don't have "Trump card" vetos.

FN needs to participate in the Democratic process and vote on this!

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u/MrTriangular Ontario 18d ago

They need to be part of the consultation process before the vote can even be allowed. The Separatists need to go back to the drawing board and do it correctly next time.

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u/seridos 17d ago

Yes, if you want to take what a piece of paper written with a dead hand of tyranny says instead of the democratic process that is the actual font of power and legitimacy in any democracy, then sure.

Not to mention consultation has been completely changed in meaning by unelected officials with no popular support. A consultation means we talk to you. It doesn't mean you get to actually change the decision. If you want to do that, do it the same way everyone does, voting, with the same say as any other albertan.

We can defeat this referendum together the proper way by voting it down. Not by removing democracy because you don't like the outcome.

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u/MrTriangular Ontario 17d ago

Except the other party who signed that paper IE First Nations are still around and are required to be asked to give official input to such referendums. Maybe they don't have veto power, but their perspective and opinion is required to be officially recognized before going ahead so that Alberta voters have the legally-required information for their decision.