Latest news with #Bill54
Calgary Herald
3 days ago
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
UCP plays greatest hits at Calgary Leader's Dinner
Premier Danielle Smith congratulated herself and her MLAs on several policies passed by the UCP government touching health care, energy, ballot questions and education, while expressing her frustration with the federal Liberal Party's election victory at a fundraising event on Thursday. Article content Article content The event was dubbed the Calgary Leader's Dinner, and more than 1,900 people gathered at Calgary Telus Centre to attend Smith's speech. The event was emceed by a few cabinet ministers, including Rebecca Schulz, the Minister of Environment and Protected Areas of Alberta, and Mike Ellis, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services. Article content Article content While introducing her cabinet, Smith enumerated several policy announcements they were involved in, including the freezing of the industrial carbon tax, the banning of books from school libraries which the province said features 'extremely graphic and age-inappropriate' content, and court challenges on the federal firearms ban, Bill C-69, and plastic and fertilizer regulations. Article content Article content Smith also referenced the UCP-led Bill 54, which amends Alberta's rules, such as halving the threshold for a citizen-led referendum to 10 per cent of people who voted in the last election, and stretching the duration of collecting those signatures to 120 days from 90. The bill was enacted May 15. Article content Article content 'Some have raised concerns over this legislation, and I think it's because they don't believe that people have a right to put forward contentious issues for a vote,' she said. Article content Article content 'I believe otherwise. I believe Albertans deserve to be able to put forward issues of importance to them, and if they receive the required number of signatures, then it should be able to be put to a vote — I trust Albertans to make the right decision.' Article content Smith also voiced disappointment at the Liberal Party's election victory, telling a room full of supporters, 'I know that there is a lot of concern and frankly, frustration in the room over the results of the most recent federal election. And why wouldn't Albertans be frustrated?' Article content Article content She deployed the trope of freedom, calling on the federal government to let the province 'develop and export the incredible wealth of resources that we have for the benefit of our families and future generations,' and 'choose how best to provide health care and education and other needed social services for our people, even if it's done differently than what Ottawa might want.'
Calgary Herald
4 days ago
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
Alberta is at the centre of separatism talks. Here's what it means and if it's possible for the province to leave Canada
Talks of separation have gathered steam after the province introduced a bill that would lower the bar for a potential citizen-led referendum. Article content Article content The province introduced Bill 54 — the Election Statutes Amendment Act — in the spring sitting of the legislature, which recently passed third reading. Despite last-minute amendments by the province, First Nations groups in Alberta have raised concerns over what this could mean for treaty rights and a potential referendum on separation. Article content Article content Here's a breakdown of how a citizen-led initiative would work, what the bill changes, whether Alberta can separate from Canada and the potential implications. Article content Article content In 2021, the UCP government passed the Citizen Initiative Act, which allows eligible voters to propose legislative initiatives, policy initiatives or constitutional referendum questions to the government. Article content Under the current legislation, an elector first has to apply to the chief electoral officer to put forward a petition on a legislative proposal, policy proposal or a constitutional referendum. The application must include a statement by the applicant on the reasoning for the initiative. Article content If the chief electoral officer is satisfied that all requirements are met for the application, the chief electoral officer's website will publish a notice of initiative that includes a copy of the application and statements. Article content Article content The changes in Bill 54 would then increase the amount of time an applicant has to collect signatures to 120 days from 90 days. Article content Article content Another proposed change would lower the threshold for signatures needed. Under the current legislation, in the case of a legislative or policy proposal, the applicant would need signatures from 10 per cent of the total number of registered voters, and 20 per cent for a constitutional referendum proposal. Article content The bill would align all three types of citizen initiatives and change the threshold for a successful citizen initiative petition to 10 per cent of the number of eligible voters who voted in the last general election. It would also allow union and corporate contributions, which was previously not permitted.
Edmonton Journal
4 days ago
- Politics
- Edmonton Journal
Alberta is at the centre of separatism talks. Here's what it means and if it's possible for the province to leave Canada
Article content Talks of separation have gathered steam after the province introduced a bill that would lower the bar for a potential citizen-led referendum. The province introduced Bill 54 — the Election Statutes Amendment Act — in the spring sitting of the legislature, which recently passed third reading. Despite last-minute amendments by the province, First Nations groups in Alberta have raised concerns over what this could mean for treaty rights and a potential referendum on separation.
Global News
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Global News
Alberta anti-separatism group that includes former deputy premier wants to pose referendum question
A group of Albertans who oppose efforts to have the province separate from the rest of Canada has filed an application to have its referendum petition approved. The group, which calls itself Forever Canada, has filed paperwork with Elections Canada in the hope of being able to ask Albertans this question: 'Do you agree that Alberta must remain in Canada and any form of separation be rejected?' Thomas Lukaszuk, who spent time serving as deputy premier as part of Alison Redford's Progressive Conservative government, told Global News on Wednesday that he filed the paperwork a week earlier because he wants the debate about separation in Alberta to be well-represented by people who want to remain Canadian. He also said he believes the number of Albertans who want the province to remain part of Canada is far larger than those who want to leave. 'We should be strong and forceful in reaffirming our commitment to our country — to Canada,' said the former politician, who was born in Poland during the Cold War. 'And those who don't feel the affinity or loyalty to our country, they shouldn't be the ones leading this debate. Story continues below advertisement 'I love this place. I moved here as a refugee 45 years ago, and every day I'm thankful to this country … for giving my family a second chance. And I just can't let go of it.' 1:55 Alberta referendum amendments unlikely to stop separation vote Last month, the Liberals emerged victorious in the 2025 federal election, but in Alberta only secured two of the seats the province has in the House of Commons. Shortly after, Alberta's UCP government put forward Bill 54 — the Election Statutes Amendment Act — which seeks to make changes to provincial election rules and to make it easier for citizens to call for a referendum. If passed, the bill would change citizen-initiated referendum rules to require that a petition be signed by 10 per cent of the eligible voters in a previous general election — down from 20 per cent of registered voters. Applicants would also be given 120 days instead of 90 to collect the signatures. Story continues below advertisement 1:48 Alberta proposes sweeping changes to provincial election laws Premier Danielle Smith has said she does not personally support the idea of Alberta separating from Canada while adding Ottawa needs to know Albertans have legitimate grievances that need to be addressed. She presented Prime Minister Mark Carney with a series of demands that she would like to see action on over the six months following the election in order to reset Alberta's relationship with Ottawa. She has accused his Liberal government of hurting Alberta's oil and gas sector with its economic and environmental policies. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy In recent months, pro-separatist voices have become louder. In April, Cameron Davies, a longtime behind-the-scenes member of Alberta's conservative community parted ways with UCP. Just days later, he was named the new leader of the Republican Party of Alberta, a party that wants to move towards independence for Alberta. When asked about Lukaszuk's petition application, Davies described the move as 'sad' and 'pathetic.' Story continues below advertisement 'It is no shock to me that leftist groups or organizers … would attempt to undermine or disrupt the independence movement,' he said. However, Davies said he believes the provincial government should be calling a referendum on whether Alberta should remain part of Canada, and noted the province had two government-initiated referendum questions that made it to ballots when Jason Kenney was premier. 'We don't believe that it should be citizen-initiated,' Davies said. 'We believe that the government that's elected to represent Albertans should listen to the will of the people and initiate a binding referendum. (We don't believe) it should be necessary to collect petitions for the government to do the right thing. 'All that's lacking is backbone and political will by the current government to call for a referendum.' Story continues below advertisement Eric Adams, a constitutional law professor at the University of Alberta, said he believes the government could face some uncertain times now that it is trying to make it easier to allow for citizen-initiated referenda. 'At some level, this is just a bit of chaos that's been created in a moment when we really need the provincial government to take charge,' he said. 'What is their position on Alberta's place in the federation and lead with that position. Instead, I think we're going to see an awful lot of instability.' Adams said he believes it was inevitable that a group like Forever Canada would file its own petition application to counter separatists' efforts. Lukaszuk said filing an application is the latest step in 'a bit of a chess game' and that he believes if his group is the first to have its application approved, it would serve as a strategic advantage. Story continues below advertisement 'There definitely are enough people who would sign a (pro-separatist) petition, particularly when our Premier Danielle Smith is making it easier for the separatists to have their petition go forward with Bill 54,' he said. 'The question is who will be leading this debate and what kind of a question Albertans will be asked.' Some leaders in Alberta's business community have spoken out about the issue recently. Earlier this month, the president and chief executive of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce said she believes a referendum on separation would harm the provincial and nationwide economy, regardless of the result. 'Businesses are not interested whatsoever in uncertainty,' Deborah Yedlin told The Canadian Press, adding she believes the uncertainty will make companies think long and hard about whether they want to invest in Alberta. 'It's bad for Alberta, but not just Alberta. It's bad for the country.' Some First Nations leaders have raised concerns about Bill 54 and about the separatist movement and its impact on treaty rights. Adams noted that if a clear majority were to vote in favour of secession, he believes Alberta's government would say it is bound by that result to pursue separation and would enter into complex negotiations with Ottawa and other provinces that could take months or years. 'It would make for a very rocky time in Alberta's political history,' he said, noting that aside from implications for First Nations, potential deals would need to be made with regard to national parks, currency, citizenship and more. Story continues below advertisement –with files from Global News' Morgan Black and The Canadian Press
Globe and Mail
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Globe and Mail
Alberta Insider: First Nation taking province to court over sovereignty act
Good morning, everyone. Alberta has a deadline: June 6. That's the date by which the Onion Lake Cree Nation expects the province to have produced a statement of defence in a lawsuit the First Nation has filed against the government over its sovereignty act. Initially filed in December, 2022, the First Nation claims Premier Danielle Smith's Alberta Sovereignty within a United Canada Act violates the constitutionally recognized treaty rights of its members and has asked the court to strike it down. At a news conference Thursday, Onion Lake's lawyer, Robert Hladun, said the suit had been put on pause in the hopes the government would address the community's concerns. But Onion Lake Chief Henry Lewis said they are now advancing the case. 'Premier Smith's sovereignty act, combined with many of the significant changes with two other laws, sends a clear signal that her government is willing to manipulate laws, intimidate First Nations and control public opinion to push the separatist agenda,' Lewis said at the news conference. Last month, the government introduced Bill 54, which, among other reforms to electoral processes, would make it easier to hold citizen-led referendums – a plan seized on by groups in favour of Alberta separating from Canada. Onion Lake's suit is another step by First Nations across Canada to stifle growing calls for a referendum on Alberta's separation. Indigenous groups argue their rights, enshrined in treaties, predate the formation of Alberta and Saskatchewan. The Alberta government did make last-minute changes to the proposed legislation Wednesday, saying a referendum question could not threaten First Nations' treaty rights. Justice Minister Mickey Amery said his government had heard concerns from First Nations, which prompted the change. 'We are listening,' he said. Several Alberta First Nations groups and opponents of Smith's seemingly cavalier approach to sovereignty rallied in protest at the Alberta Legislature Thursday. Talk of separation has been brewing in the province for months, with momentum apparently growing in some corners. Smith has done little to quash it, saying only that she will respect the decision of the people of Alberta. But as The Globe and Mail's Robyn Urback said in her column this week, the Premier 'keeps legitimizing its discussion, creating a platform for its serious consideration, and facilitating the conditions for a referendum vote.' Former premier Jason Kenney said this week that talk of separation is 'playing with fire.' 'People who follow Alberta closely in investment circles are paying attention,' he said, and what they are seeing is 'a blinking light of uncertainty, which they hate.' 'This is playing with fire. And if Albertans doubt that, look at a real historical example of what happened in Quebec's economy as a result of merely the election of a PQ government,' he said, including the billions of investment dollars that fled the province in the face of instability. If there is one thing that may make Albertans stand up and take notice, it's talk of the economic turmoil that could come with separation. 'There's no happy ending to that for Alberta's economy,' Kenney said of a potential referendum vote. This is the weekly Alberta newsletter written by Alberta bureau chief Mark Iype. If you're reading this on the web, or it was forwarded to you from someone else, you can sign up for it and all Globe newsletters here.
