Alberta to verify signatures on separatist referendum petition after court stay

Elections Alberta announced it will begin verifying the signatures on a petition submitted by the group Stay Free Alberta that calls for a province‑wide referendum on separating from Canada. The petition contains roughly 302,000 signatures, well above the 178,000 required to compel the province to act.

A judge previously struck down the petition for breaching provincial law and for failing to consult First Nations. However, a later ruling ordered that the verification process continue while the original decision is appealed. Premier Danielle Smith has scheduled a referendum for Oct. 19, asking voters whether to remain in Canada or pursue a second, binding vote on separation, but she said a binding vote on independence is unlikely this fall because the legal appeal could take months.

The case reflects ongoing separatist sentiment in Alberta, where activists argue that independence is the answer to perceived neglect by the federal government.