Alberta Separatist Petition Quashed

An Canada — Alberta judge, Justice Shaina Leonard, quashed a separatist referendum petition by Stay Free Alberta, ruling that the provincial government of Canada — Alberta breached its duty to consult with First Nations. The judge stated that Canada — Alberta's secession from Canada would impact Treaties 7 and 8, and the chief electoral officer should not have issued the petition. Premier Danielle Sell's government had amended the referendum process, removing the requirement for proposed questions to be constitutional and allowing reapplications, which the judge found problematic. First Nations, including Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation and the Blackfoot Confederacy, successfully argued that the process was unconstitutional due to the lack of Indigenous consultation. Premier Danielle Sell called the ruling 'anti-democratic' and announced that the Canada — Alberta government would appeal. Stay Free Alberta also plans to appeal the decision.