Latest news with #ElectionStatutesAmendmentAct
Calgary Herald
7 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
7 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.
CBC
05-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Will election law changes really give Albertans direct democracy access?
Premer Danielle Smith says she wants to see more citizen-initiated referendum questions on the ballot, through changes proposed in Bill 54, the Election Statutes Amendment Act. Here's how experts explain this approach, its benefits and pitfalls.
CBC
01-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
First Nations chiefs say Alberta premier is trying to 'manufacture a national unity crisis'
Many First Nations in Alberta are denouncing Bill 54, the Election Statutes Amendment Act tabled in the provincial legislature Tuesday, saying it disregards treaty rights. If passed, it will change how referendums can be introduced in the province by lowering the signature threshold required. In a letter, Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation Chief Sheldon Sunshine and Mikisew Cree First Nation Chief Billy-Joe Tuccaro accused Premier Danielle Smith of "attempting to manufacture a national unity crisis by enabling a referendum on separatism." "Alberta did not exist when our ancestors agreed to share the land with the Crown. The province has no authority to supersede or interfere with our treaties, even indirectly by passing the buck to a 'citizen' referendum," the letter continued. Tuccaro told CBC News the bill continues the work the province started when they introduced the Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act in 2022. "If treaty rights were broken … it would allow Alberta to do anything they would see fit in regards to our traditional territories," he said. "If the treaties are broken then that leaves us as First Nations with absolutely nothing in regards to holding the British Crown responsible for their fiduciary responsibility, and that is to uphold the treaty that we signed in 1899." He described the relationship between the province and First Nations as "very tense" and said if the bill is passed, "There will be a rise up from the treaty people." In a news release, the Blackfoot Confederacy said the proposed legislation "threatens the constitutional and legal order by disregarding the Nation-to-Crown agreements that define our relationship to the state." It reminded the province their treaty "was not a land surrender," but rather "a framework for peaceful coexistence and shared use of territory." "We will aggressively protect our historic treaty rights and our inherent rights," said Piikani Nation Chief Troy Knowlton in a statement. "We will require that the Crown's obligations to First Nations be honoured and fulfilled." 'Enabling direct democracy' At a news conference on Thursday, Smith said she respects "all of the treaty rights that are enshrined in the Constitution." She described referendums as "enabling direct democracy," and she encouraged all Albertans — including Indigenous people — to embrace it. "The purpose of a referendum is to let every single Albertan have a say on matters of important public policy," said Smith. When pushed on her personal views on Alberta separatism, the premier said she believes in "Alberta sovereignty within a united Canada." She accused the federal government of meddling in provincial issues. "When the federal government goes out of their way to interfere with our exclusive jurisdiction, we are going to meet them with every step that we can in order to preserve our ability to manage our own affairs," she said. Rethinking sovereignty One expert says some Albertans are feeling disenchanted by the political process following the federal election, with some wanting the province to break from Canada. "It's impossible for Alberta to think it can claim the land without involving Indigenous peoples," said Matthew Wildcat, director of Indigenous governance at the University of Alberta, and a member of Ermineskin Cree Nation. "We can't think about our Canadian sovereignty being broken apart unless treaties [and] Indigenous peoples are part of that reordering of sovereignty." Smith said at the news conference she doesn't want to judge the types of petitions Albertans want to put forth and that interest in separatism might not be widespread, referring to a recent Angus Reid survey that suggested one in four Albertans would vote to separate from Canada. "It seems to me that the majority of people are not in favour of that, and so I guess we'll see whether or not they're able to put together a petition, gather enough signatures and put it to the people," she said. The premier mentioned examples where Albertans had a say in important issues, including the 1997 referendum on allowing VLTs in the province.
Edmonton Journal
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Edmonton Journal
Thursday's letters: UCP trying to suppress voter turnout
The UCP's proposed Bill 54: the Election Statutes Amendment Act, is a dangerous step backward for democracy in Alberta. By reintroducing large corporate donations and eliminating vote-anywhere measures, the government is making it harder for ordinary citizens — especially students and those away from home — to vote. The removal of vouching further restricts access, particularly for marginalized voters.
