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Editor's Note: Elections Alberta issued the petition against separation on July 30, following a 30-day wait period. The petition application was approved on June 30.

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On July 30, a referendum petition to keep Alberta in Canada was issued by Elections Alberta, 30 days after its quiet approval. This occurred while a competing separation petition was sent for constitutional review.

The petition against provincial separation requires 293,976 signatures (10% of eligible voters) to qualify as a referendum on the question, "Do you agree that Alberta should remain in Canada?"

Former PC MLA Thomas Lukaszuk submitted the petition application days before the Alberta Prosperity Project's (APP) filed a similar application to separate. It was sent to the Court of King’s Bench by Elections Alberta for possible Charter violations.

Premier Danielle Smith supports Alberta remaining in Canada but wouldn't prevent a referendum if a petition meets legal criteria.

Lukaszuk, a proud Canadian born in Poland, believes Alberta's conflict with Ottawa can be resolved without separation. He told the Epoch Times that Canada's strength lies in constant negotiation and problem-solving mechanisms, and that separation is never an option and could harm the economy.

Smith, who also backs Alberta remaining a part of Canada, acknowledged last month that separatist sentiments in her province are at an all-time high, urging the federal government to take the movement "seriously." She frequently criticizes Prime Minister Mark Carney for not backing oil and gas projects outright and chasing away investment.

A May 2025 Angus Reid poll found 36% of Albertans support separation from Canada, with roughly half supporting an independence referendum.

Smith notes that separatists are "not traitors" but friends and neighbours fed up with the federal government attacking their livelihoods.

On the separation petition, Chief Electoral Officer Gordon McClure questioned July 28 whether the inquiry violated Charter rights, including mobility, treaty, life, liberty, security, and equality. He did not specify if concerns led to the question's referral to the Court of King's bench.

Elections Alberta confirmed Wednesday that McClure asked the Court for an opinion on whether the proposal violates section 2(4) of the Citizen Initiative Act, specifically concerning sections 1-35.1 of the Constitution Act, 1982. He detailed the concerns prompting this referral.

Provincial law mandates a hearing within 10 days of court referral. Elections Alberta said McClure has 30 days post-ruling to assess if the proposed referendum question meets other legal requirements.

Premier Smith criticized McClure's refusal to approve the separation referendum question as a "delay tactic." 

For the question to appear on a ballot, McClure's approval is necessary. Only then can the APP begin collecting signatures.

Regarding Lukaszuk’s petition, Elections Alberta requires all signatures by October 28. 

Eligible provincial voters must physically sign their name, address, and signature with a registered canvasser witnessing and signing each.

On April 29, Smith extended the referendum signature collection to 120 days (from 90) and set the trigger threshold at 10% of eligible voters from the last general election, or 177,000 signatures.