Treaty chiefs, NDP turn up pressure on province over separation plans

Pressure on the Alberta government is mounting from treaty chiefs and the opposition NDP, with each side demanding clear answers and proper consultation on the province’s separation plans ahead of the fall referendum.

Treaty 8 First Nations is calling on Premier Danielle Smith to pause all separation-related plans, claiming that Alberta cannot pursue separation without their “free, prior and informed consent.”

Smith announced last month that her government would add a new question to the Oct. 19 referendum, asking residents if they think the province should begin the legal process for a binding separation referendum.

The move came after a court ruling struck down the “Stay Free Alberta” separation petition for failing to consult First Nations, a decision the premier called a misinterpretation of the duty to consult and an infringement on democratic rights.

In an open letter sent Wednesday, Grand Chief Trevor Mercredi says the province is mischaracterizing Section 35 and the duty to consult, noting that court rulings already affirm consultation is required. He argues Smith should retract her assertion that consultation applies only to major projects.

Mercredi says Alberta is moving ahead without meaningful engagement and that treaty rights are at stake.

“Treaty rights are legally, constitutionally protected here in Canada, so any discussion on the Constitution is of grave concern to us and our Nations and should be a concern to all Canadians,” he said.

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew similarly urged Smith to pause the fall separation referendum during a western premiers’ meeting last week. Kinew also clashed with Smith on her characterization of the court ruling that put the separatist referendum petition in legal limbo.

In a statement to CityNews, Premier Danielle Smith’s Office told CityNews said 700,000 Albertans signed petitions asking for a referendum on this issue, referring the combination of the rival “Stay Free Alberta” and “Forever Canadian” petitions.

“The referendum question does not trigger any duty to consult,” the statement reads. “We trust that Albertans will freely and openly debate this question and ultimately make the right decision for our province.”

NDP says UCP MLAs need to make separation stance public

At the same time, Alberta’s NDP is urging 36 UCP MLAs to publicly declare where they stand on the referendum question. Deputy Leader Rakhi Pancholi says only 10 MLAs besides Smith have stated how they will vote.

“Mindlessly repeating the nonsense phrase that they support a ‘sovereign Alberta in a united Canada’ doesn’t cut it anymore,” Pancholi said, adding that every UCP MLA owes Albertans a clear answer ahead of Oct.19.

The NDP notes that all of its MLAs publicly denounced separatism in January, while most UCP members have remained silent even after Smith placed the question on the referendum ballot.

Smith has confirmed she intends to vote for Alberta to remain in Canada, arguing the country functions best when provinces exercise strong autonomy.

Premier Smith and party president Rob Smith had been at odds over where they stood on Alberta staying in Canada.

The premier has said she wants Alberta to stay in Confederation, while the party president, said last week the party would not pick a side leading up to the vote.

The UCP eventually issued a new statement, saying it supports Alberta staying in Canada, adding it has always supported Alberta staying in Canada.

There are nine other questions on immigration and constitutional reform that will be put to Albertans this fall.

With files from the Canadian Press