A petition that seeks to solidify Alberta's standing as a member province of Canada will be available to sign at city hall from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. today.--CP FILE PHOTO
asmith@medicinehatnews.com
Today outside city hall, local canvassers will collect signatures for one vital question: Do you agree that Alberta should remain in Canada?
The citizen initiative petition, put forward by former MLA and Alberta cabinet minister Thomas Lukaszuk and held through Elections Alberta, is having signatures collected across the province, with a goal of 300,000 names before Oct. 28. Should they collect the required signatures, a referendum question can proceed.
“The talk of separation, even as a negotiating tactic, or as a step toward joining the United States, only creates uncertainty, and it actually chills investments and drives away talent and deepens social divisions at home,” said Shelley, Ewing one of the official canvassers in the city. “The longer the question lingers, the higher economic and community costs for Alberta and for Canada.”
The goal, then, is to send a clear, democratic answer that the majority of Albertans desire to remain in Canada.
The issue is non partisan, says Betty Aiken, who will also be getting her badge to allow her to collect signatures for the petition. Regardless of party affiliation or political views, she says this petition is about wanting to end rhetoric surrounding separation and working on what they believe is the correct next step, which is moving forward united as a part of Canada.
Medicine Hat organizers believe that talk of separation causes uncertainty and drives away potential investment, that repetitive court cases on the issue waste tax dollars better spent elsewhere, and the discussion causes division when the province needs to be united both internally and with neighbours.
Those interested in signing the petition, or other canvassers looking to organize, are encouraged to stop by the sidewalk outside city hall from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
There will be further opportunities to sign the petition up until the deadline, says organizer Kym Porter, and they are seeking businesses that would be willing to host them for the duration of the effort. Those interested are asked to contact AwareMHAB on Facebook.
“I just think that there are some problems that maybe need to be solved, but this is not the way,” said Ewing. “We need people to unite behind Canada. We need people to show our love for Canada and appreciate everything we have in this country.”
