US EditionFirst Nations anti-separatists rally as court proceedings enter day 2
First Nations say the petition could override treaty rights and allow a referendum after supporters gathered about 200 people in Edmonton.
- On Wednesday, lawyers for the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation presented arguments in Edmonton Court of King's Bench against a petition seeking an Alberta separation referendum, joining Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation and the Blackfoot Confederacy in challenging its constitutionality.
- Legislative amendments brought in through Bill 14 allow citizen-initiated referendums to proceed even if unconstitutional, removing screening provisions from the Citizen Initiative Act intended to bar such topics.
- Lawyers argued an independent Alberta would drive international borders through the heart of Treaty 8 territory, violating constitutionally protected Aboriginal rights and opening the door to what they described as "majoritarian encroachment."
- Roughly 200 First Nations leaders and supporters rallied outside Edmonton City Hall on Wednesday, with demonstrators in Churchill Square carrying messages like "This is Treaty Land" to amplify opposition to the petition.
- Stay Free Alberta claims to have collected over 178,000 signatures pending Elections Alberta verification after the May 2 deadline, while Justice Shaina Leonard is expected to issue written decisions on the petition's validity at a later date.
21 Articles
21 Articles
The Toronto Star
Collecting signatures for separation vote doesn’t violate treaty: Alberta’s lawyers
Lawyers for the Alberta government say collecting signatures for a potential referendum on separation doesn't violate treaty rights nor would holding a vote.
castanet.net
Collecting signatures for separation vote doesn't violate treaty: Alberta's lawyers
Lawyers for the Alberta government say collecting signatures for a potential referendum on separation doesn't violate treaty rights nor would holding a vote.
In western Canada, Alberta, justice is completing the review of an application filed by First Nations – one of Canada's three Aboriginal peoples – to block a referendum process on the province's independence on Thursday, April 9. In the region, independence ambitions are becoming more visible.
Rally held in Edmonton to support First Nations’ fight to stop Alberta separation referendum
Signs and the flags of many nations filled Sir Winston Churchill Square in downtown Edmonton on Wednesday as roughly 200 First Nations leaders, community members and supporters gathered to oppose an attempt to force a referendum on Alberta separating from Canada.
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