Alberta’s new lower bar for referendums is set to go into effect July 4 as anti-separatist petitioners led by former Deputy Premier Thomas Lukaszuk seek to beat the separatist movement to a referendum question.
The changes making it easier for Albertans to hold a referendum were introduced April 29 by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith. Though it came one day after the April 28 election that saw the federal Liberals re-elected, Smith said the changes would have been put forward regardless.
The legislation extends the signature collection period from 90 to 120 days and sets the threshold for triggering a referendum at 10 percent of eligible voters who participated in the most recent general election. A May poll from Leger found that 42 percent of Albertans support the new lower threshold to hold referendums, while 41 percent disagree….