Stay Free Alberta submitted nearly 302,000 signatures to Elections Alberta on Monday, aiming to trigger a referendum on whether the province should leave Canada.
The group needed approximately 178,000 signatures to force a provincewide ballot.
Key Developments
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has stated she would proceed with a referendum if the signatures are verified, but personally does not support separation. A "yes" vote would not trigger immediate independence; negotiations with the federal government would be required.
A court challenge by Alberta First Nations, arguing separation would violate treaty rights, is pending a judge's ruling.
Statements
"This is historic," said Mitch Sylvestre, head of Stay Free Alberta, calling the submission "historic" and stating the signatures were verified multiple times.
Daniel Béland, a political science professor at McGill University, said support for independence in Alberta is below 30% and a referendum would likely fail. He also noted the verification process is crucial after a recent data breach affecting a separatist group.
Prime Minister Mark Carney's government did not comment on the submission.
Background
Separatist sentiment in Alberta has been fueled by grievances over federal policies perceived as hindering the province's oil industry and infringing on provincial jurisdiction.