Calgarians gather to sign Alberta independence petition as data suggests sovereignty support is growing

The citizen-initiative petition on Alberta independence has started collecting signatures and made a stop in Calgary over the weekend, as new data shows more Albertans are in favour of separation.

The petition was approved by Elections Alberta in December and its campaign is now holding events across the province to gather signatures.

In the southeast Calgary community of Queensland Saturday, a line to sign stretched out a community centre and down the block.

“We’re seeing this across the province. We had similar footage of Red Deer this afternoon as well. All of our other events outside of Calgary have been at capacity and all we can do to process the signatures,” said Gregory Hartzler, CFO of the Stay Free Alberta Campaign.

“What about my pension, what about Canada pension; and what about the state of being landlocked and what do we do, how do we make money if we’re landlocked?” a panelist at Saturday’s event asked.

The petition asks: “Do you agree that the Province of Alberta should cease to be a part of Canada to become an independent state?”

“I’m just tired of the political climate — tired of the current federal government trying to take away my right to make money, my freedoms and everything else. It’s time to stand up and do something about it,” said petition supporter Tim Burrell.

Burrell works in oil and gas. He’s from Nova Scotia and moved to Alberta more than a decade ago.

“I have family that are upset with me for my views. They are upset that I want to separate, and I think it’s the right thing to do – for Canada and Alberta. It will get other provinces to actually do something about it when the gravy train stops,” he said.

Tracie Taylor, who also supports the cause, says separating from Canada is what’s needed to provide for citizens.

“Realistically, independence and separation from Canada for me looks like taking care of own backyard. We’ll take care of our seniors, take care of our health care, take care of our children, give a brighter future to our children, line our pockets with the hardworking money that we have and support out industries and support our people,” she told CityNews. “So I think it’s about time we start giving our own province back rather that giving to the rest of the country.”

Data released by Research Co. last week says the proportion of Albertans who are in favour of sovereignty has increased over the last 18 months.

It says an online survey found 31 per cent of Albertans support the province becoming independent. This is up nine points from data collected by the agency in June 2023.

Support for Alberta independence rose across the province — an increase of five per cent in the Calgary Metropolitan Area to 31 per cent and 34 per cent support it in Edmonton Metropolitan Area, up five per cent.

Thirty-four per cent of Albertans living outside of the metro areas support the cause, up 11 per cent, Research Co. says.

Independence is most likely to be supported by those who voted for the United Conservative Party in the last election.

On the opposing side, Research Co. says 62 per cent are opposed to separation.

The Stay Free Alberta campaign needs nearly 178,000 signatures by May 2 to be successful.

An opposing citizen initiative petition called Alberta Forever Canada received more than 400,000 verified signatures according to Elections Alberta – and it has been submitted to the Legislative Assembly.

Albertans could vote on a referendum question potentially later this year.

Meanwhile, Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation has launched legal action against the Alberta government for allowing the independence petition to proceed – which they say violates the Treaty between First Nations and the federal government and they are calling for an injunction to block the petition.

In a statement to CityNews, the province says it continues to support a sovereign Alberta within a united Canada.

“Alberta’s government recognizes and honours Treaty rights as recognized by section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982. We have been clear that we support a sovereign Alberta within a United Canada,” said Heather Jenkins with the justice ministry. “It is the democratic right of every Albertan to participate in a citizen’s initiative process and bring forward a petition asking a clear question for citizens to consider.”