Forever Canadian founder Thomas Lukaszuk is claiming Alberta separatism has a religious component in southern Alberta, where he says supporters want to create a "Christian biblical country."

Speaking during a Forever Canadian campaign stop in Athabasca, Lukaszuk said separatism takes different forms depending on where supporters live.

"In the north, it's often focused around the economic argument," Lukaszuk said. But in southern Alberta, he claimed, "it's more religious."

"It's a lot to do with Christianity and saying that we want to create a Christian biblical country," he said. That's an extraordinary characterization for which Lukaszuk offered no evidence in the interview.

There is no religious test attached to the independence referendum, nor does the referendum question propose establishing Christianity, biblical law or a religious state. The current independence process arose from a citizen initiative petition that Elections Alberta verified after organizers collected 279,337 valid signatures, well above the 177,732 required.

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Polling also identifies political and geographic differences in support for independence, but the available surveys don't establish Lukaszuk's claim that southern Alberta separatism is substantially driven by a desire for a "Christian biblical country."

For example, Probe Research found support strongest among UCP supporters and rural Albertans. Its survey did not identify Christian nationalism as the defining motivation for independence supporters.

Alberta's independence movement advances arguments about equalization and federal transfers, energy and environmental policy, provincial autonomy, taxation, representation and control over Alberta's economic future. People can agree or disagree with those arguments.

Painting southern Alberta supporters as people seeking a "Christian biblical country" requires evidence.

Lukaszuk didn't provide it.