Thomas Lukaszuk Facebook Image
Pro-Canada movement gains traction in Alberta as separatist support stalls
EDMONTON — The grassroots movement aimed at keeping Alberta in Canada is gaining momentum, as organizers prepare to formally launch their campaign against separatism by the end of the month.
Forever Canadian, which describes itself as a unifying alternative to the province’s stalled separatist movement, has already attracted more than 6,500 members through social media since positioning itself publicly last month. Former Progressive Conservative deputy premier Thomas Lukaszuk is helping lead the initiative and says the team is working quickly to meet the requirements laid out by Elections Alberta.
“We are appointing our Chief Financial Officer this week, and registering him with Elections Alberta. This is a requirement for having the petition and rules governing the petition issued to us by Elections Alberta,” said Lukaszuk.
“We will also be launching our website, which will allow volunteers to register themselves with Elections Alberta.”
Organizers say the campaign is drawing widespread support from across the political spectrum and plan to go live in the coming weeks.
“We anticipate that the campaign will be officially launched at the end of this month,” said Lukaszuk. “We are facing overwhelming support from tens of thousands of people from across the political spectrum.”
The initiative comes as support for Alberta’s separatist movement appears to have plateaued. According to Angus Reid polling, only 30 per cent of Albertans say they are open to holding a referendum on separation. That falls well short of the “clear majority” required under the federal Clarity Act, which affirms that any vote to leave Canada must be backed by a decisive margin, widely interpreted to mean well beyond 50 per cent.
“Former and current politicians from NDP to the Reform Party are joining us in this effort. It is positively overwhelming,” added Lukaszuk.
“We are excited to launch the campaign.”
Comments