Emily Plihal
Local Journalism
Initiative Reporter
There has been talk in Alberta about separation, either acting independently or joining the United States, with the conversation creating damaging uncertainty and unrest among Albertans.
A group of canvassers across the province have joined forces with Forever Canadian to lead the way to collect signatures on a petition that will show the desire of constituents to remain Canadian.
Smoky River Region canvasser Avis Gagne says that under the Alberta Citizens Initiative Act, anyone eligible to vote in an Alberta election, can use the citizen initiative process to have a legislative or policy proposal introduced in the legislative assembly, or to have a constitutional referendum conducted.
She explains to initiate the process; a voter applies to the Chief Electoral Officer with a fee.
If approved by the Chief Electoral Officer, the applicant must then collect the required number of signatures after which the matter is put before the Legislative Assembly.
“The Forever Canadian petition was filed under the legislative or policy stream and asks the question: ‘Do you agree that Alberta should remain in Canada?’,” says Gagne.
“I am confident the petition will gather far more signatures than the required minimum of 300,000. I think with nearly 4,000 canvassers we will exceed that minimum by 10s of thousands of signatures because if each of us gathers only 75 signatures in total, we reach the minimum.
Many of us are gathering 75 at only one of our pop-up events.”
The application was filed by Former Alberta Deputy Premier Thomas Lukaszuk, who has said his efforts are non-partisan.
The application was filed with the Chief Electoral Officer June 5, 2025, and approved for signature collection to begin July 30, 2025, following which Gagne says individuals could apply to be volunteer canvassers.
“Thomas Lukaszuk had a brilliant idea to cut the talk of Alberta having a referendum on separatism – his referendum question was the opposite, to have people sign a petition to STAY in Canada,” adds Peace River canvasser Wanda Laurin.
“The statistic on referendums is, usually, the ‘yes’ questions usually win. This referendum question therefore frames staying in Canada in the positive and makes it more likely to win.”
Petition canvassers apply to and then are vetted by Alberta Elections. All potential canvassers must be residents of Alberta, eligible to vote in Alberta’s elections, and prohibited from receiving any form of renumeration for volunteering to gather signatures on the petition.
“This is an historical first being the only petition that has ever been approved by Elections Alberta,” Gagne says.
“There has never been a citizens initiative petition in Alberta, despite the Act having been in place since June of 2022. What the Act does, is allow electors to bring policy or legislative or constitution issues directly from an elector to all electors, outside of government-controlled proposals.”
Both Gagne and Laurin urge all eligible voters who are interested in staying in Canada to sign the petition. You must be at least 18 years of age, ordinarily resident in Alberta, and a citizen of Canada.
“The petition is meant for Albertans who believe in the power of staying a part of Canada,” says Laurin.
“This gives those who worry about the small number of separatists actually succeeding, a way to take action to show that most Albertans are also patriotic Canadians.”
Gagne says whether signers agree or disagree with the question, they may sign the petition.
“The petition, as required by the legislation, is not a vote,” Gagne explains.
“It is rather, gathering of support to compel the government to either, hold a referendum with the same question in which people will vote for or against the question, or, to introduce legislation or policy that addresses the same question.”
Canvassers across the province have until Oct. 28, 2025 to collect signatures, with signature sheets delivered to the Chief Electoral Officer that same day.
“I believe the Citizens Initiative Act, and the petition process give electors an essential path to actively participate and have a strong voice in shaping the future of this province, and of Canada,” says Gagne of why she decided to canvass.
“I believe the Citizens Initiative Act, and the petition process give electors an essential path to actively participate and have a strong voice in shaping the future of this province, and of Canada,” says Gagne of why she decided to canvass.
“In my opinion, every eligible voter should be interested in signing. As Mr. Lukaszuk stated, Alberta separation is being actively and widely discussed and that discussion has serious consequences.”
Laurin adds that the document cannot be circulated, that it must be available to sign in front of a credentialled signature gatherer.
She supports Lukaszuk’s message that talk of separation, even as a negotiating tactic or as a step toward joining the United States, creates damaging uncertainty.
It chills investment, drives away talent, and deepens social divisions at home.
The longer the question lingers, the higher the economic and community cost for Alberta, and for Canada.
“I think it is unifying for us,” Laurin explains.
“Albertans are being bombarded with the message from the UCP (United Conservative Party) that we are angry and that we are being mistreated by Ottawa. But we share many more values as Albertans and Canadians than the Smith government is acknowledging. I am happy to be collecting signatures because it gives me a chance to share this position. And there are many who stay and discuss the great things about Alberta and Canada.”
If the petition gathers the required 300,000 signatures, Gagne explains the governing legislation requires that the Speaker of the Legislature table the proposal that Alberta hold a referendum with the question.
The proposal will then be referred to a committee of the Legislative Assembly.
She says within 90 days, the committee has to table a report recommending that either a bill be introduced at the earliest opportunity or recommending that the initiative petition and report be referred to the Chief Electoral Officer for the holding of a referendum.
“While I was born in Alberta, and have lived my whole life here, I am, with no hesitation, Canadian first,” says Gagne.
“I fully respect that other Albertans may have a different opinion, and they too have a right to have their voices heard through this process.”
Gagne will begin scheduling more pop-ups this week and is committed to visiting each community in the Smoky River Region at least twice.
“With harvest in full swing, and the start of school, I felt that this week and next were very full already for many folks,” she says.
“I’ll be posting signing opportunities on Facebook as soon as I firm up the dates and locations.”
Laurin says they have a permanent petition signing at Peace River Riverfront Park every Thursday from now until Oct. 16.
She says she will also be attending Farmer’s Markets, the Art Hub and Seniors’ Residences.
They are also planning on going to Fairview a few times but are yet to plan dates.
“This process truly is non-partisan with no involvement of any political party. It is democracy in action and in the hands of electors,” says Gagne.
“It is a living example of what we citizens can do as individuals to bring forward proposals or questions to all Albertan electors.”
If you are interested in signing the petition in the Smoky River Region and would like to contact Gagne to see which locations she will be at, please email her at , she will also have posts on Facebook with her canvassing locations. Laurin says people in the Peace River Area can find their group on Facebook in the Community Pages.
