Latest news with #Sylvestre
Vancouver Sun
4 days ago
- Politics
- Vancouver Sun
Possible referendum question on Alberta separation sent to judge for approval
EDMONTON — A potential referendum question on Alberta separating from Canada has been referred to a judge for confirmation that the question doesn't violate the Constitution. The proposed question seeks a yes or no answer to: 'Do you agree that the Province of Alberta shall become a sovereign country and cease to be a province in Canada?' Alberta's chief electoral officer Gordon McClure, in a news release Monday, said provincial laws require potential referendum questions to respect more than 30 sections of the Constitution, including the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. McClure's release doesn't say which, if any, specific sections he's unsure about and his office didn't immediately respond to questions asking for details. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The potential referendum question was submitted to the electoral officer earlier this month by Mitch Sylvestre, an executive with the Alberta Prosperity Project, a non-profit group that has been touring the province promoting independence. Sylvestre, who didn't immediately respond to an interview request Monday, has said he thinks interest among Albertans in holding a separation referendum increases with every speaking event his group organizes. 'The more people that hear what the message is, the more people that will be in favour,' he said in an interview last month. The Alberta Prosperity Project said on social media that McClure's decision was a 'delay tactic' and that the group would respond in court if need be. The electoral officer's release says the Court of King's Bench will schedule a proceeding for the matter and that Sylvestre and the provincial justice minister have been notified of his decision to refer the question to a judge. If his question is approved, Sylvestre and the Alberta Prosperity Project would need to collect 177,000 signatures in four months to put the question of Alberta separation on a ballot. In June, the chief electoral officer approved a competing question that seeks to have Alberta make it official policy that the province will never separate from Canada. That petition, put forward by former Alberta Progressive Conservative deputy premier Thomas Lukaszuk, was approved before new provincial rules took effect that lowered the threshold for citizen-initiated referendums to get on ballots. Lukaszuk's proposal also differs in that it seeks a referendum on a proposed policy — rather than a potential constitutional referendum like Sylvestre's proposal — and he'll need to collect nearly 300,000 signatures in 90 days. The former deputy premier confirmed Monday that signature collection efforts for his proposed policy referendum were expected to begin in the coming days. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
Edmonton Journal
4 days ago
- Politics
- Edmonton Journal
Possible referendum question on Alberta separation sent to judge for approval
Article content EDMONTON — A potential referendum question on Alberta separating from Canada has been referred to a judge for confirmation that the question doesn't violate the Constitution. Article content The proposed question seeks a yes or no answer to: 'Do you agree that the Province of Alberta shall become a sovereign country and cease to be a province in Canada?' Article content Article content Alberta's chief electoral officer Gordon McClure, in a news release Monday, said provincial laws require potential referendum questions to respect more than 30 sections of the Constitution, including the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Article content Article content McClure's release doesn't say which, if any, specific sections he's unsure about and his office didn't immediately respond to questions asking for details. Article content Article content Sylvestre, who didn't immediately respond to an interview request Monday, has said he thinks interest among Albertans in holding a separation referendum increases with every speaking event his group organizes. Article content 'The more people that hear what the message is, the more people that will be in favour,' he said in an interview last month. Article content The Alberta Prosperity Project said on social media that McClure's decision was a 'delay tactic' and that the group would respond in court if need be. Article content Article content The electoral officer's release says the Court of King's Bench will schedule a proceeding for the matter and that Sylvestre and the provincial justice minister have been notified of his decision to refer the question to a judge. Article content Article content If his question is approved, Sylvestre and the Alberta Prosperity Project would need to collect 177,000 signatures in four months to put the question of Alberta separation on a ballot. Article content In June, the chief electoral officer approved a competing question that seeks to have Alberta make it official policy that the province will never separate from Canada. Article content That petition, put forward by former Alberta Progressive Conservative deputy premier Thomas Lukaszuk, was approved before new provincial rules took effect that lowered the threshold for citizen-initiated referendums to get on ballots. Article content Lukaszuk's proposal also differs in that it seeks a referendum on a proposed policy — rather than a potential constitutional referendum like Sylvestre's proposal — and he'll need to collect nearly 300,000 signatures in 90 days.
Global News
4 days ago
- Politics
- Global News
Potential Alberta separation referendum question referred to judge for approval
See more sharing options Send this page to someone via email Share this item on Twitter Share this item via WhatsApp Share this item on Facebook A potential referendum question on Alberta separating from Canada has been referred to a judge for confirmation that the question doesn't violate the Constitution. The proposed Alberta separatism question seeks a yes or no answer to whether people agree with the province becoming a sovereign country and ceasing to be part of Canada. Alberta's chief electoral officer says in a news release that provincial laws require potential referendum questions to respect more than 30 sections of the Constitution, including the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Story continues below advertisement The potential referendum question was submitted to the electoral officer earlier this month by Mitch Sylvestre, an executive with the Alberta Prosperity Project who has been touring the province promoting independence. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy If approved, Sylvestre would need to collect 177,000 signatures in four months to put the question of Alberta separation on a ballot. In June, Alberta's electoral officer approved a competing question that seeks to have Alberta make it official policy that the province will never separate from Canada. — More to come…
Hamilton Spectator
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Potential Alberta separation referendum question referred to judge for approval
EDMONTON - A potential referendum question on Alberta separating from Canada has been referred to a judge for confirmation that the question doesn't violate the Constitution. The proposed question seeks a yes or no answer to whether people agree with Alberta becoming a sovereign country and ceasing to be a province in Canada. Alberta's chief electoral officer says in a news release that provincial laws require potential referendum questions to respect more than 30 sections of the Constitution, including the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The potential referendum question was submitted to the electoral officer earlier this month by Mitch Sylvestre, an executive with the Alberta Prosperity Project who has been touring the province promoting independence. If approved, Sylvestre would need to collect 177,000 signatures in four months to put the question of Alberta separation on a ballot. In June, Alberta's electoral officer approved a competing question that seeks to have Alberta make it official policy that the province will never separate from Canada. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 28, 2025. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Winnipeg Free Press
4 days ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Potential Alberta separation referendum question referred to judge for approval
EDMONTON – A potential referendum question on Alberta separating from Canada has been referred to a judge for confirmation that the question doesn't violate the Constitution. The proposed question seeks a yes or no answer to whether people agree with Alberta becoming a sovereign country and ceasing to be a province in Canada. Alberta's chief electoral officer says in a news release that provincial laws require potential referendum questions to respect more than 30 sections of the Constitution, including the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The potential referendum question was submitted to the electoral officer earlier this month by Mitch Sylvestre, an executive with the Alberta Prosperity Project who has been touring the province promoting independence. If approved, Sylvestre would need to collect 177,000 signatures in four months to put the question of Alberta separation on a ballot. In June, Alberta's electoral officer approved a competing question that seeks to have Alberta make it official policy that the province will never separate from Canada. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 28, 2025.
