Hundreds line up in central Alberta as group begins signature drive for independence referendum
Large crowds gathered in Red Deer and Eckville as organizers start collecting about 178,000 signatures to trigger a provincial referendum on Alberta independence.
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By Torontoer Staff
Large crowds formed outside community halls in Red Deer and Eckville on Jan. 14 as organisers with the Stay Free Alberta campaign opened a signature drive for a referendum on Alberta becoming a sovereign jurisdiction. Organisers have roughly four months to gather about 178,000 valid signatures, the number required under current provincial rules.
The petition effort, authorised by Elections Alberta in December, is led by Mitch Sylvestre, chief executive officer of the Alberta Prosperity Project. Campaign organisers said they already have more than 2,000 canvassers working across the province and plan more than 20 events in the coming weeks.
What organisers are seeking
The petition asks for a referendum on whether Alberta should become a sovereign country and cease to be a province in Canada. Sylvestre told reporters the campaign will not release interim signature totals and that final numbers will be made public at the end of the collection period.
All this hall will be full. They will be lined up around the building to sign. And that's been what we're seeing every night.
Mitch Sylvestre, CEO, Alberta Prosperity Project
Turnout and voter motives
Attendees quoted at the Red Deer event expressed frustration with federal policies and a desire for local control of resources and spending. Several cited grievances such as equalization payments, regulatory barriers to resource development and concern about provincial debt and future stability.
I want to see change for my kids. I don’t want them to carry all the debt that’s going to happen if we keep what we have right now.
Sara Moberg, petition signer
Jobs, homes, the ability to actually develop all of our resources, not just oil and gas but agriculture, critical minerals, forestry, everything is hidden behind red tape.
Brandie Bowman, campaign volunteer
Other supporters said they expect economic challenges initially if a separation vote succeeded, but argued Alberta would recover and prosper because of its resource base.
With the oilsands as a staple, we've got other resources as well, that are going to play a role in that as well.
Darwin Graff, event attendee
Legal and political context
A similar referendum question was ruled unconstitutional by an Alberta judge last year. The provincial government subsequently amended Bill 14 to allow citizen initiatives to proceed even where their constitutionality has not been determined. That change prompted legal and political debate and at least one court challenge from a First Nation opposing the legislative amendments.
At the same time, an opposing petition called 'Forever Canadian' was verified by Elections Alberta with more than 400,000 signatories. That petition asks Albertans whether the province should remain within Canada. Its sponsor, former deputy premier Thomas Lukaszuk, has said his preference is to have the premier put the question before the legislature for an MLA vote.
Schedule and next steps
Organisers say they will collect signatures at a series of events across the province. After the Red Deer and Eckville events on Jan. 14, planned signings include Okotoks, Drayton Valley and the James River Bridge area later in the week. Stay Free Alberta has nearly four months from the start of the drive to submit the required signatures to Elections Alberta.
- Elections Alberta authorised signature collection in December 2025.
- Organisers must collect about 178,000 signatures within roughly four months.
- More than 20 petition events are planned across the province.
Provincial officials and legal observers have not indicated how they will proceed if a petition meets the threshold but raises constitutional questions. The presence of a competing petition that favours staying in Canada adds a parallel political dynamic.
What to watch next
Watch for signature totals at the close of the collection period, any court challenges to the petition process and responses from the provincial government and Ottawa. The competing 'Forever Canadian' petition and provincial legislative changes mean the coming months could produce legal tests on how citizen initiatives and referendums interact with constitutional law.
Organisers say they will continue public events and canvassing across urban and rural communities as they seek the signatures needed to trigger a referendum. Observers expect the campaign to remain a prominent provincial issue through the collection period.
AlbertaseparationreferendumElections AlbertaBill 14
