Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): Pierre Poilievre says the Conservative Party remains firmly committed to a united Canada as a separatist movement in Alberta campaigns for a referendum on independence.
Responding to questions from reporters on Tuesday, Poilievre stated that the Conservatives are “entirely a federalist caucus,” adding that no member of his parliamentary team has expressed support for Alberta separatism.
The group Stay Free Alberta is currently seeking to trigger a provincial referendum on Alberta becoming an independent country. Organizers have until May to gather nearly 178,000 signatures required to move the proposal forward.
Under Canadian law, provinces cannot unilaterally separate from the country. If a referendum were to succeed, it would initiate complex negotiations involving the provincial and federal governments, as well as First Nations and other stakeholders.
Poilievre, who describes himself as both a proud federalist and a “born and bred Albertan,” has previously argued that federal Liberal policies have contributed to regional alienation. Speaking at the Conservative convention in January, he accused Ottawa of undermining Alberta’s energy sector and interfering in provincial jurisdictions.
Recent surveys suggest that a majority of Albertans would vote to remain in Canada or lean in that direction.
The debate over Alberta’s future continues as political tensions between provincial and federal leaders remain high.
