CALGARY — Forever Canadian founder Thomas Lukaszuk has announced that the group will now be officially classified as a third-party advertiser by Elections Alberta."All of our supporters want us to engage in more specific advocacy regarding Question 10," Lukaszuk said at a press conference at the group's campaign headquarters in Calgary."I'm announcing today that as of this moment Forever Canadian will be entering the arena of a third-party advertiser, and we will encourage all supporters and all Albertans to choose option A on question number ten."The change will allow the group to openly campaign on the questions posed in the upcoming referendum, having previously only campaigned on the promotion of unity across Canada.The change will also mean that the groups' finances will have to be made publicly available under Elections Alberta rules.."Starting today Forever Canadian will shift gears, and we will be advocating across Alberta that Albertans turn out at the polls."In a statement to the Western Standard, Forever Canadian states that starting now they will be launching a "comprehensive 'Get Out the Vote' campaign."."With fewer than 30 days remaining before Alberta's provincial referendum, the Forever Canadian movement is executing a major strategic pivot to mobilize pro-unity voters and launch a comprehensive 'Get Out the Vote' campaign across the province. This shift comes in direct response to strong demand from volunteers and supporters across Alberta," the statement reads.At the press conference on Monday, Lukaszuk criticized the current provincial government under Premier Danielle Smith for their decision to go ahead with the referendum despite his group's pleas.Lukaszuk was asked for his thoughts about Smith's emotional speech this past weekend, where she reiterated her plea for Albertans to vote against having a binding referendum on separation and for a "strong Alberta within a united Canada.""Sometimes with friends like that you don't need enemies," Lukaszuk remarked about the premier's support for federalism."The premier professes to be pro-federalist, and she insists that she will be voting option A on question number ten... but I can tell you her actions don't seem to support the retort."."I've been on the opposite side of Danielle Smith in the House, when she was the leader of the Wildrose (party) and I was deputy premier, to not listen to what she says but what she does."With less than a month until the referendum is set to take place, Lukaszuk's group says they will begin dialling up their campaign to make sure pro-Canada Albertans get out and vote.The group will now begin a referendum-focused campaign, and, in addition to continuing to give out their free lawn signs, they will now be actively encouraging Albertans to vote against independence in the October 19 referendum.
