Ottawa is working with the provincial government in Alberta to ensure there are “strong safeguards” in place for its upcoming referendum, federal Government House Leader Steven MacKinnon says.
MacKinnon said in an Oct. 8 statement that the federal government is working alongside provincial authorities, including Elections Alberta and local law enforcement, to protect the Oct. 19 referendum process.
The referendum seeks citizen input on a number of issues, including having broader provincial control over immigration, abolishing the Senate, and whether to start the process to hold a binding separation referendum.
“The government of Canada is committed to protecting the integrity of our democratic processes and institutions, and the prime minister has been clear that we expect all foreign states to respect Canadian sovereignty in the context of the Alberta referendum,” MacKinnon said. “Albertans can trust that their rights will be protected, and that action will be taken against any attempts to undermine our democracy.”…