By Lisa Johnson Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she will hold a referendum on provincial separation next year if citizens gather the required signatures on a petition. Smith, in a livestream address Monday, said she wants a sovereign Alberta within a united Canada but there is a growing number of Albertans who are unhappy with Confederation, and are organizing petitions to push for an exit. \u201cThe vast majority of these individuals are not fringe voices to be marginalized or vilified. They are loyal Albertans,\u201d she said. \u201cThey’re frustrated, and they have every reason to be.\u201d Last week, a day after the federal election, Smith\u2019s United Conservative government introduced legislation that, if passed, would sharply reduce the bar petitioners need to meet to trigger a provincial referendum. The bill would change… <\/p>\n
By Lisa Johnson Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she will hold a referendum on provincial separation next year if citizens gather the required signatures on a petition. Smith, in a livestream address Monday, said she wants a sovereign Alberta within a united Canada but there is a growing number of Albertans who are unhappy with Confederation, and are organizing petitions to push for an exit. \u201cThe vast majority of these individuals are not fringe voices to be marginalized or vilified. They are loyal Albertans,\u201d she said. \u201cThey’re frustrated, and they have every reason to be.\u201d Last week, a day after the federal election, Smith\u2019s United Conservative government introduced legislation that, if passed, would sharply reduce the bar petitioners need to meet to trigger a provincial referendum. The bill would change... <\/p>\n