Court hears Alberta separatist group’s plea for stay of referendum petition ruling

A separatist group in Alberta is currently in court, appealing a recent ruling that invalidated its petition for a referendum on the province quitting Canada. The group, Stay Free Alberta, is seeking a stay of the decision, which would allow Elections Alberta to proceed with verifying the signatures they claim to have collected.

Last month, a judge ruled that the petition should not have been issued. The same ruling also stated that Premier Danielle Smith's government failed in its duty to consult with First Nations. Stay Free Alberta submitted its petition in May, asserting it had gathered close to 302,000 names.

Both the separatist group and the provincial government are appealing the judge's decision. Premier Smith has referenced the ruling, the separatist petition, and a competing pro-Canada petition with over 404,000 verified signatures as reasons for her decision to include a separation question in the province's upcoming Oct. 19 referendum. This question asks Albertans if they wish to remain in Canada or pursue a future binding vote on separation.