Alberta Separatist Claims Some UCP Caucus Signed Sovereignty Petition

A prominent Alberta separatist activist says that members of Premier Danielle Smith’s United Conservative Party (UCP) caucus have signed a referendum petition calling for a future vote on Alberta’s sovereignty, stirring fresh controversy in provincial politics. The claims come as separatist sentiment and debate over potential referendums continue to roil political discourse in Alberta.

The separatist leader did not specify exactly which caucus members had signed the petition, but said the involvement of elected officials underscores growing support within some political circles for a referendum question on Alberta’s autonomy or sovereignty. The remarks were reported by national and local media as part of coverage of ongoing debates over citizen initiative processes in the province.

The context for these developments is Alberta’s Citizen Initiative Act, which was amended in 2025 — lowering the threshold required to trigger a referendum and extending the signature collection period. These changes have made it easier for groups to launch petitions on major issues, including the controversial proposal for a referendum on Alberta’s future relationship with the rest of Canada.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has said she is not personally a supporter of separatism, but she has championed the legislative changes that facilitate citizen-led referendums on contentious questions, framing it as a way to increase democratic participation. Critics argue that these reforms could be used to push questions that risk regional division and have broader constitutional implications.

Meanwhile, pro-Canada activists such as Thomas Lukaszuk and his Alberta Forever Canada petition have also been circulating and collecting signatures in opposition to any separation question. That initiative — approved by Elections Alberta in 2025 — aims to secure a referendum asking voters whether Alberta should remain part of Canada, requiring substantial public support to proceed.

The claim about UCP caucus members signing the separatist petition has not been independently verified by official sources or confirmed by the Premier’s office. Alberta’s political scene remains deeply divided on the question of sovereignty, with ongoing legal and constitutional challenges expected as groups on both sides push their campaigns ahead of potential referendums.