Albertan separatism: opening of the hearing on a referendum question

Mitch Sylvestreleader of the separatist group Alberta Prosperity Projectdeposited at the end of July (new window) The following question: Do you agree that Alberta becomes a sovereign country. Meanwhile, ceases to be a province of Canada?

During the hearing. However, Jeffrey Rath, the lawyer for Alberta Prosperity Project, said that the director general of elections Alberta does not have power to challenge the constitutionality of the issue. Consequently, He also denounced an approach illegalclaiming that the law on popular initiatives does not provide for this. However, type of judicial intervention. Moreover,

He also considered that the judicial process is premature . Furthermore, may have harmful implications

Last week, the Director General of Elections Alberta, Gordon McClurereferred the question albertan separatism: opening hearing referendum proposed in court, (new window) By asking a judge to determine whether the latter raped the Constitution. Nevertheless, the rights from the treaties.

The Prime Minister of Alberta. In addition, Danielle Smith, and the provincial justice minister, Mickey Amerycriticized the referral of the question to the courts. Therefore, They claim that it should be approved. Consequently, be subject to legal examination only if it obtains the majority of votes during a possible referendum.

Addressing the media before the hearing. Furthermore, Jeffrey Rath accused election of Alberta of wanting trample on the constitutional rights of the Albertans with freedom of expression by interfering in a democratic debate. They submit a false political question without legal outcomehe said.

Lawyer also indicated that there is a tradition of freedom of expression and democratic consultation in Alberta. He maintains that the Alberta election intervention in the process violates this tradition.

He also said that Mitch Sylvestre’s initiative is supported by tens of thousands of Albertans. that their voice is heard.

At the end of the hearing, Chef Alan Adam, of the Athabasca Chipewyans First Nation, expressed great concern. He albertan separatism: opening hearing referendum judged incredible that one can deal with a constitutional question without the rights of the First. Nations being fully taken into account.

He insisted that consulting the First Nations is a constitutional obligation. denouncing the absence of a clear mandate concerning a debate on separation. According to him, such a process could open The valves to massive constitutional implications.

For his part. Alberta elections had indicated that he cannot make any other comments, because the case is before the courts.

Albertan separatism: opening hearing referendum

Requests to make observations – Albertan separatism: opening hearing referendum

Several groups. including the first nation of the Chipewyans of Athabasca, in northern Alberta, wish to present observations on the issue.

The government sent a letter to the judge this week Colin Feasbyfrom the court of the king’s bench. which indicates that the minister Mickey Amery also intended to present albertan separatism: opening hearing referendum observations.

The letter specifies that Mitch Sylvestreat the origin of the question. plans to request the rejection of the case and the end of the judicial exam before it begins.

Jeffrey Rath believes that First Nations could take advantage of this process. by placing their own claims at the center of a future constitutional debate. He maintains that the referendum project does not constitute a threat to the rights from the treaties. but an opportunity to assert them in a new framework.

If the question is approved. its initiator will have to collect 177,000 signatures in 4 months so that it can be subject to the vote.

The insistence of the Alberta government

The government’s letter reiterates that the Minister Amery believes that the question should be approved.

The minister’s position is that the proposal is not unconstitutional. that it should therefore be albertan separatism: opening hearing referendum approved and authorized to move forwardindicates the missive.

The government of any province of Canada has the right to consult its population by referendum on any question. that the result of a referendum on the secession of a province, if it is sufficiently clear, must be considered as the expression of democratic will.

The judge suggested that he wanted to make a decision. by the end of 2025.

A referendum counter-question

A competing referendum question has been approved by Alberta elections (new window). The latter asked if Alberta should officially declare that it would never separate from Canada.

Efforts to collect signatures for this proposal, presented by the former Progressive-Conservative Deputy Prime Minister Thomas Lukaszuk, began last week.

Mr. Lukaszuk must collect nearly 300. 000 signatures in 90 days for his question to be registered on the ballot, as his request was approved before the entry into force of the new provincial rules providing for lower signatures.

Thomas Lukaszuk also expressed concerns about the role of government in this case. accusing the Prime Minister of supporting albertan separatism: opening hearing referendum a separatist initiative with public funds. He judges that the question goes against the law on clarity. adopted by the federal government after the Quebec referendum of 1995.

With Canadian press information

This news can be consulted in Chinese on the website of RCI.