Premier Danielle Smith announced Thursday the upcoming Alberta referendum on Oct. 19 will include a new question about whether Albertans want, at a future date, to hold a binding referendum on the province leaving Canada.
“Kicking the can down the road only prolongs a very emotional and important debate,” Smith said in televised speech. “It’s time to have a vote, understand the will of Albertans on this subject, and move on.”
Here’s what some are saying about the premier’s announcement:
Lori Williams
Mount Royal University political scientist
“I think what she’s trying to do is satisfy both those who want to remain in Canada and those who want a separatism referendum — and she’s likely to satisfy neither.”
Errol Mendes
Constitutional legal expert
“She may not be aware that creating this Pandora’s Box opening, it could create other issues which could utterly, undermine everything she’s aiming for and in fact, even destroy her own party.”
Jason Kenney
Former premier of Alberta
“We are a smart, hard working, innovative and loyal people. Those who went before us built one of the most prosperous and generous societies on Earth. And we’re not going to let anyone tear apart our home, the true North strong and free. It’s time to fight for our country. Alberta: let’s lead, not leave.”
Rob Anderson
Alberta premier’s chief of staff
“It’s time for Albertans to decide whether we want to spend time, expense and effort pursuing separation or whether Albertans want to remain, continue to work on undoing the last 10 years of horrendous Trudeau-era policies and fight for a stronger Alberta within a united Canada.”
Jeff Rath
Lawyer for Stay Free Alberta separatist group behind referendum petition tied up in court
“She’s just alienated the most hardcore portion of her base…. The 301,620 people that signed the petition are smart enough to see through it, and she has just created an unstoppable political force in the province of Alberta that will be rallying against her.”
Andrew Knack
Mayor of Edmonton
“Premier Smith’s government is causing severe economic uncertainty that will only result in lost investment and lost jobs that we all rely on… When the separatist agenda and virtue signalling take priority over stable and collaborative governance, Albertans lose out.”
Jeromy Farkas
Mayor of Calgary
“Voting on whether to have a vote is a ridiculous lack of provincial leadership. Calgary is a globally connected city. Separation uncertainty is costing us jobs.”
Cam Davies
Leader of the pro-independence Republican Party of Alberta
“A vote to have a vote is the literal definition of kicking the can down the road.”
Thomas Lukaszuk
Organizer of the pro-Canada Forever Canadian petition
“Danielle Smith decided that six months of a divisive campaign and economic damage to Alberta isn’t long enough. She wants to hold a referendum on holding a referendum to break up Canada.”
Naheed Nenshi
Alberta Opposition NDP Leader
“This spring and summer, we’re going to be knocking on doors, we’re going to be talking to our neighbours, we’re going to be mobilizing, we’re going to make sure that Danielle Smith and the separatists get the defeat they so richly deserve.”
Doug Ford
Premier of Ontario, on whether he would initiate a similar vote
“I wouldn’t do it. Smith is just doing this for the 30 per cent of Albertans who are her base — separation would be a disaster.”
Corey Hogan
Alberta Liberal member of Parliament
“This baffling, referendum-on-a-referendum question will do nothing to settle anything. It adds another layer of confusion. It will divide. It will distract. It will damage.”
Dominic LeBlanc
Federal intergovernmental affairs minister
“As we take note of Premier Smith’s address this evening, we remain focused on building a stronger Canada for all in full partnership with Alberta and to the benefit of all Albertans and all Canadians.”
Billy-Joe Tuccaro
Chief of Mikisew Cree First Nation
“The question announced today is intended to be the beginning of the end of Treaty, in a manufactured UCP separatist crisis. A year ago, no one was talking about this.”
Sheldon Sunshone
Chief of Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation
“We’ve seen the Premier move the goalpost on this issue numerous times, accommodating a small minority. And that was just another step. She said a lot of things, but still saying the same thing… when they talk about sovereignty for the province of Alberta, that’s basically an attack on First Nations sovereignty.”
Pierre Poilievre
Federal Conservative Leader
“I’m a strong Canadian federalist, a proud Albertan and a proud Canadian. I want a strong Alberta within a united Canada, and all Conservatives will be campaigning for Canadian unity in Alberta.”
Nancy Southern
CEO of ATCO Ltd.
“It’s in my heart and soul to be a proud Canadian as well as a proud Albertan. I don’t believe this discussion should have gone as far as it has.”
Trevor Mercredi
Grand Chief of Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta
“Treaty Nations are not idle on this issue. We will continue to defend the Constitution, uphold the Treaty relationship, and ensure our rights, lands, and jurisdictions are respected.”
Christine Frechette
Premier of Quebec, on if Alberta would revive Quebec’s separatism movement
“We’ll let Albertans decide for themselves.”
— With files from The Canadian Press
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