Petition application approved asking if Alberta should remain in Canada

Alberta’s Chief Electoral Officer has approved a citizen initiative application proposing the question:

“Do you agree that Alberta should remain in Canada?”

In a June 30 news release from Elections Alberta, it was confirmed that Chief Electoral Officer Gordon McClure had issued a Notice of Initiative Petition after determining that the application met the requirements under Section 2(3) of the Citizens' Initiative Act.

The approved application, submitted by Thomas Lukaszuk, is titled Alberta Forever Canada, according to documents available on the Elections Alberta website.

According to the proponent’s submitted application:

“The future of Alberta’s place in Canada has become a recurring topic in political, media and academic discourse. At times, this discussion has included voices advocating for secession or a referendum on Alberta’s independence.”

“In light of these developments, and in an effort to proactively reaffirm Alberta’s commitment to Canada, this initiative proposes to engage Albertans in a democratic process to express their opinion on Alberta’s continued membership in the Canadian federation.”

“This initiative is not intended to provoke division or to challenge the unity of Canada. On the contrary, its objective is to demonstrate, through a transparent and democratic process, that Albertans choose to remain part of Canada.”

Lukaszuk is a former Member of the Legislative Assembly who represented Edmonton-Castle Downs from 2001 to 2015 as a Progressive Conservative. 

The application was submitted and approved before the Election Statutes Amendment Act (Bill 54) came into force. Elections Alberta stated the initiative process will follow the Citizen Initiative Act as of June 30, 2025.

As of that date, only the Notice of Initiative Petition has been issued. The petition itself will not be released until after a 30-day publication period and the appointment of a Chief Financial Officer has been made.

Elections Alberta stated the proponent must appoint a CFO by July 30, 2025. Once the publication period is complete and a CFO is appointed, the agency will issue the petition, publish the signing period and required number of signatures, and release official signature sheets and witness affidavits.

“Signatures collected on other forms will not be accepted,” the agency said.

How the Citizen Initiative Process Works

Elections Alberta states:

“Electors can use the citizen initiative process to have a legislative or policy proposal introduced in the legislative assembly or to have a constitutional referendum conducted.”

Who may apply:
To apply, a person must be a Canadian citizen, at least 18 years of age, and a resident of Alberta.

The following persons are ineligible:

• A sitting member of the Legislative Assembly

• The Chief Electoral Officer, election officers, or Elections Alberta staff

• Individuals prohibited from acting as a CFO under section 29(4) of the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act

• Individuals convicted of an offence under the Citizen Initiative Act, Election Act, or Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act within the past eight years

Application requirements:
Applicants must submit:

• A completed Application for Citizen Initiative Petition

• Authorized identification confirming Alberta residency

• A $500 fee, payable by certified cheque, cash, or money order to the Government of Alberta

Petition timing:
Elections Alberta states that a Notice of Initiative Petition must be published for 30 days before the petition is issued. During that time, the proponent must appoint a Chief Financial Officer. For this application, the CFO deadline is July 30, 2025.

Once these conditions are met, Elections Alberta will issue the petition, publish the signing period dates and required number of signatures, and release the official petition signature sheets and witness affidavits.

“Signatures collected on other forms will not be accepted.” — Elections Alberta

Unrelated Independence Petition and Statement from Alberta Prosperity Project

The Alberta Prosperity Project, a separate organization that supports Alberta independence, issued a public statement on X on June 30, writing:

According to its website, the Alberta Prosperity Project “is an educational initiative focused on garnering support for a future where Alberta determines its destiny, ensuring prosperity and freedom for future generations.”

The group is associated with a proposed question reading:

“Do you agree that the Province of Alberta shall become an Independent Country and cease to be a province of Canada?”

On July 3, 2025, the group held an event titled Airdrie Let’s Talk – Freedom & Prosperity Through Sovereignty at the Town and Country Centre. The event was listed as sold out.

Elections Alberta is an independent, non-partisan office of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta responsible for administering provincial elections, by-elections, and referendums.

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