Alberta Premier Danielle Smith faced a question Monday about whether a new bill lowering the threshold for citizen-initiated referendums risks the province’s economic stability by potentially enabling an independence vote.
Bill 54, the Election Statutes Amendment Act introduced by the United Conservative Party, reduces the signature requirement for referendums from 20% to 10% of voters from the previous general election and extends the signature collection period from 90 to 120 days.
Critics accuse Smith of promoting Alberta independence and distancing herself from national unity. Some First Nations leaders also claim the bill disregards treaty obligations.
“We support citizen initiated referenda,” Smith said Monday, sidestepping the economic question. “The whole purpose is to have a process for citizens to be able to put those questions forward. I would say that would be a question for any of the groups that are leading that because we aren’t, we’re leading the efforts to have a strong and sovereign Alberta within a united Canada.”
The bill aims to boost public participation in democratic processes but could simplify triggering referendums on divisive issues, including independence from Canada.
Cameron Davies, leader of the Republican Party of Alberta, told the Western Standard he is concerned the provincial government, which has pushed for an Alberta pension plan, lacks the courage to publicly tout the “immense positive effect” of an independent Alberta.
Davies called some economists who oppose independence disingenuous.
“I’m not surprised in the slightest that all of the talking heads and pundits have been rolled out by mainstream media to attack and denigrate Albertans who want a brighter and more prosperous future outside of Canada, when the rest of Canada has chosen to double down on the Liberal decade of decline,” he said.
