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Organizers aim to collect 300,000 signatures by late October amid competing separatist push
EDMONTON — A citizen-led campaign to affirm Alberta’s place within Canada is officially underway following a public launch in Edmonton on Saturday.
The signature drive launched from Old Strathcona in Edmonton on Saturday, August 2, 2025. The Forever Canadian initiative has until October 28 to collect nearly 300,000 signatures required to trigger a referendum. The campaign is being positioned as a counterweight to a rival initiative seeking a vote on Alberta’s potential separation from Canada.
Under provincial legislation, only one question on a related topic can appear on the ballot, meaning only the first group to reach the required threshold will move forward. The launch event in Old Strathcona drew hundreds of supporters, with organizers already registering canvassers and planning stops across the province. They have established authorized signature collectors and canvassers in most of Alberta’s major communities, and they are continuing to actively seek volunteers.
The Forever Canadian referendum question, approved by Alberta’s Chief Electoral Officer, asks whether Alberta should remain a part of Canada. The petition was accepted under rules predating recent legislative changes that made it easier for citizen initiatives to move forward.
While supporters of Alberta Forever Canada are preparing for a cross-province signature drive, the pro-separatist group is challenging its own proposed question in court, adding another layer of uncertainty to the evolving debate.
Both efforts come amid growing public discord on Alberta’s role within Confederation, and political observers say the outcome could shape the province’s relationship with the rest of the country for years to come.
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