Separation referendum looms as Alberta marks Canada Day

With a provincewide referendum looming on Alberta's future in Canada, federalists and separatists are hoping Albertans will spend Canada Day, Wednesday, July 1, thinking about what the country has done for them.

Thomas Lukaszuk, the former deputy premier who spearheaded a pro-Canada petition last year, wants Albertans to appreciate the freedom Canada affords its residents and how the country serves as a global role model. Keith Wilson, a lawyer campaigning for the province to go its own way, says Albertans should heed their affordability challenges and consider how Ottawa has responded to Alberta's oil resources.

On October 19, voters will decide whether they want the province to remain in Canada or to start the process for holding a second, binding vote on quitting Confederation. The campaign period began late last month, and a number of groups have formed to sway public opinion.

Lukaszuk has been back on the road in what he calls the Unity Bus — a motorhome decked out in the Maple Leaf motif that he used for his petition campaign. His petition of more than 400,000 names called on Premier Danielle Smith to avoid a referendum and instead make it provincial policy that separation is off the table. When a judge threw out a competing separatist referendum petition last month, Smith cited Lukaszuk's signature count and the separatists' claim of 300,000 names to say she thinks enough Albertans want to see the matter put to rest once and for all at the polls.

Smith said even though she'll be voting for Alberta to stay, many have a decade-long list of grievances with Ottawa over its energy and environmental policies. Lukaszuk said he's still holding out hope that Smith calls off the referendum, but called it a "moment of awakening" for Albertans. Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to be in Edmonton for a Canada Day event, while Smith plans to be in Calgary celebrating at Spruce Meadows. On Thursday, the premier is to make an announcement.