Forever Canadian petition needs about 70,000 signatures in final weeks

By ANNA SMITH Local Journalism Initiative on October 8, 2025.

asmith@medicinehatnews.com

As the petition taking a stance against Alberta separatism rolls into its final weeks, Medicine Hat can look forward to more opportunities to add their voices.

Register canvasser Shelley Ewing says that recent counts have the number of signatures as high as 230,000 out of the 300,000 needed for the non-partisan petition promoting Alberta remaining within Canada.

“We would like to get about another 90,000 before the end, just so we can allow for some that’ll be stricken off,” said Ewing. They have until Oct. 28 to collect signatures, but she acknowledges that they will likely stop slightly sooner, as to ensure the paperwork is sent off and will arrive in Edmonton on time.

She expects the last collection day in Medicine Hat will be Oct. 21.

To help facilitate gathering more signatures, canvassers will be in Kin Coulee near the teacher’s rally today, hoping to grab some missed signatures without detracting from the show of unity for the educators on strike.

“We are also collecting non-perishable food for the food bank. So Forever Canadian is going to have two food drives, one at the rally and one in the next week, we believe, when Thomas Lukaszuk comes to Medicine Hat,” said Ewing.

While they do not yet have an exact date for the visit from the man who started the petition, they will update residents on the AwareMHAB Facebook page once details are finalized.

After several months of collective signatures, Ewing says it has largely been a positive experience, but they are looking forward to completing the push as it has been akin to a full-time job making sure there was always a space available for people to sign.

“We started Aug. 14, and we’re out probably four or five times a week,” said Ewing. “The response has been good. We’ve had some pushback, but we’ve also had people thank us for facilitating this.”

“I had Jim Horsman sign and when he sat down, he recited the Boy Scout Motto to me about honouring being Canadian and honouring Canada,” said Ewing. “That was my first signing day and that’s stuck with me ever since.”

Those interested in signing the petition are asked to visit them at the park today, or one of their several locations which can be found online at forever-canadian.ca/sign-the-petition. Ewing stresses that the petition cannot be signed online; it must be signed in person in the presence of a canvasser with an Elections Alberta badge.

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