Grassroots organization initiates petition to preserve Alberta within the Canadian Union
In the heart of Alberta, a movement is underway to affirm the province's unity with Canada. The "Forever Canadian" petition, launched at the end of July 2025, is currently in the signature-gathering phase and is gaining momentum [1][2][4].
The petition, which seeks to ask Albertans the question: "Do you agree that Alberta should remain in Canada?", requires nearly 294,000 valid signatures—equivalent to 10% of eligible voters—by October 28, 2025 [1][2][4]. If successful, it would need to be brought before the provincial legislature, potentially leading to a referendum vote on Alberta’s place in Canada before the 2027 provincial election [1].
The petition has been approved by Alberta’s Chief Electoral Officer, Gordon McClure, and adheres to the rules of the old Citizen Initiative Act. Signature collectors must be accredited by Elections Alberta and carry proper identification badges [1][4]. There is strong public interest, with thousands of people contacting organizers daily to find out how to sign [1].
John Lobe, out canvassing on Saturday, expressed confidence in the movement. He stated, "Albertans are proud Canadians" [3]. Lobe also suggested that Premier Smith will have to make a decision about adopting anti-separatist policies or bringing the issue to a referendum [3].
The petition is not about politics, according to former Progressive Conservative Deputy Premier Thomas Lukaszuk, who applied with Elections Canada to gather signatures across the province for the formal petition. Instead, he emphasised that it is about being proud of being Canadian [3]. Lukaszuk was happy to see a turnout from various political stripes during the petition canvassing [3].
However, separatist movements have also initiated efforts towards an Alberta referendum on independence. The Alberta Prosperity Project, for instance, filed legal actions related to separation and advocates for provincial control over resources and policies. Opposition exists from Indigenous groups and others [3]. As of Wednesday, the application of the Alberta Prosperity Project has been referred to a judge to see if it contravenes the Constitution [2].
In a contrasting scene, the group Forever Canadian gathered on Saturday to collect signatures of legal Alberta voters who are against the separation of the province from Canada. A small group of dissenters with a banner that read, "Alberta Sovereignty Now!" sat across from people signing Forever Canadian's petition [3].
In summary, the Forever Canadian petition is an active, citizen-driven effort to affirm Alberta’s unity with Canada, currently under official signature collection with a defined timeline. Its potential successful completion would require the provincial government to consider a referendum on the issue, although the government has not taken a public policy stance at this stage [1][2][3][4]. The petition offers an opportunity to demonstrate support for unity within Alberta and Canada.
References:
[1] CBC News. (2025, July 31). Alberta's 'Forever Canadian' petition aims to keep province in Canada. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/alberta-forever-canadian-petition-1.5613530
[2] Edmonton Journal. (2025, August 4). Alberta Prosperity Project application for referendum on independence referred to judge. Retrieved from https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/alberta-prosperity-project-application-for-referendum-on-independence-referred-to-judge
[3] Global News. (2025, August 7). 'Forever Canadian' petitioners collect signatures in Edmonton amidst counter-protest. Retrieved from https://globalnews.ca/news/8480915/forever-canadian-petition-edmonton-protest/
[4] CTV News. (2025, August 10). Alberta's 'Forever Canadian' petition requires 293,967 signatures to be valid. Retrieved from https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/alberta-s-forever-canadian-petition-requires-293-967-signatures-to-be-valid-1.5621681
- The advent of the "Forever Canadian" petition in Alberta, amidst growing war-and-conflicts over Alberta's place in Canada, is sparking a significant amount of both general-news and political discourse, including discussions about policy-and-legislation and migration.
- The Alberta Prosperity Project, an opposing force to the "Forever Canadian" petition, has filed legal actions related to separation and advocates for provincial control over resources and policies, further fueling the news on war-and-conflicts and politics.
- Despite the ongoing battles in the realm of politics, Thomas Lukaszuk, a former Progressive Conservative Deputy Premier, emphasizes that the Forever Canadian petition is not merely about politics, but about being proud of being Canadian, highlighting the broader theme of unity in a time of division.
