Alberta (Rajeev Sharma): A petition drive calling for a public vote on Alberta’s future within Canada drew large crowds in Edmonton on Saturday, with long queues forming at Rundle Park as residents waited to add their names.
The event was organised by Stay Free Alberta, the group leading the campaign to seek a referendum on whether the province should pursue separation from Canada. The organisation has been holding signature collection and awareness campaigns across Alberta since receiving approval from Elections Alberta earlier this month.
By early afternoon, organisers estimated that hundreds of people had already signed the petition at the northeast Edmonton location, with participants predicting the number would continue to rise through the day.
Several attendees said they were motivated by frustration with federal decision-making. One man, who chose not to be identified, said he wanted Albertans to have a direct say in their future. “We’re being governed without meaningful input, and this is a way to reclaim that voice,” he said.
Others described a sense of solidarity among those gathered. Janine, one of the participants, said she was encouraged by the turnout. “It’s energising to see so many people who feel the same way. There’s a clear desire for change,” she said, adding that many feel Alberta’s economic contributions are not fairly recognised by Ottawa.
For Corody Bello, the long wait was worth it. She said she would have stood in line for hours if necessary. “This is about choice—for myself and for my kids. I want them to grow up knowing they can shape their own future,” she said.
The petition, formally titled A Referendum Relating to Alberta Independence, requires a minimum of 177,732 valid signatures by May 2 to be formally submitted to the provincial government. Stay Free Alberta founder Mitch Sylvestre has previously expressed confidence that the campaign will exceed the required threshold.
Similar signature-gathering events were held on the same day in several other communities, including Thorhild County, Water Valley, Okotoks, Bashaw and Buck Creek, reflecting growing momentum behind the initiative across the province.
