Nearly 450 people signed the citizen-led Forever Canadian petition at two local events this weekend, marking the first of many opportunities for Albertans to add their names here in Cochrane.
The petition is calling for a provincewide plebiscite on the question: “Do you agree Alberta should remain in Canada?”
Ali Morrison, a member of the group, said the push is just getting started. About 16 canvassers, all registered with Elections Alberta, are already collecting signatures, and she expects that number will rise to 20 by this week.
Morrison said nearly 340 people signed at the Cochrane Farmers’ Market on Aug. 16 in just two and a half hours. The following day, close to 100 people signed at Mitford Park.
She emphasized the petition is nonpartisan.
“This is not whether you are a UCP, NDP, or Liberal voter, it’s absolutely nonpartisan,” Morrison said. “This is an issue that every Albertan needs to have their voice heard.”
The initiative is part of a provincewide campaign led by former Alberta MLA Thomas Lukaszuk, who served as deputy premier from 2012 to 2013. More than 3,000 canvassers have registered with Elections Alberta-issued tags, and prominent Albertans, including former premier Ed Stelmach, have publicly pledged support.
Elections Alberta approved the petition on July 30. Organizers now have until Oct. 28 to collect 293,976 signatures to meet the requirement.
Signatures must be collected in person. Signatories must be eligible voters on the date they sign, provide their name and address legibly, and can only sign once.
Morrison said people can find updates and future signing opportunities on the group’s Facebook page, Cochrane “Forever Canadian” Signing Locations (Forever Canadian Cochrane).