Alberta separatists praise turnout at petition signing in Red Deer

Organizers with Stay Free Alberta reported strong turnout at a Red Deer petition event as they seek about 177,000 signatures by early May to request a referendum on separation; a court hearing on Jan. 16 will consider a legal challenge to the referendum law.

Supporters gathered in Red Deer for a petition event organized by Stay Free Alberta as the group seeks signatures to trigger a provincial referendum on separation. The media were not allowed into the meeting, and organizers declined interviews at the event. Organizers did not disclose a total count of signatures publicly but said they were confident about meeting an early-May deadline. Polls cited in the article show a majority of Albertans oppose separation, with younger adults more likely to express support. Key facts: - Stay Free Alberta is collecting signatures to ask the provincial government to hold a referendum and the article reports a requirement of about 177,000 signatures by early May, with 10 per cent required to be eligible voters from the last provincial election. - The media were not permitted to film the Red Deer event, several organizers declined interviews, and the group's leader did not disclose a current signature total while saying he was confident about meeting the deadline (the article references both a May 2 requirement and the organizer mentioning a May 6 deadline). - An Alberta Court of King’s Bench hearing is scheduled for Jan. 16 to consider a challenge from the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation that the provincial referendum legislation fails to recognize constitutionally protected Indigenous rights. Summary: The article reports notable turnout at a Stay Free Alberta petition event and ongoing efforts to collect the required signatures for a referendum. A legal challenge to the referendum law is set for a Jan. 16 hearing, and the outcome of that proceeding is undetermined at this time.