Some St. Albert municipal election candidates are making their stance on Alberta separation vocal, with a few saying they will collect signatures on behalf of a petition for a vote to stay in Canada.
The Alberta Forever Canada petition, started by St. Albertan Thomas Lukaszuk, was triggered amidst talk of Alberta separation. Now, some candidates for St. Albert’s municipal office are saying they’d like to join in on collecting signatures as they go door knocking for their campaigns.
Neil Korotash, a former St. Albert councillor, is running again in 2025. He’s currently waiting for approval from Elections Alberta before he can start collecting signatures, but said he would begin as soon as he is able.
“It’s really just about sending a strong message to the rest of the country, to the rest of the world, to some Albertans, and then the Premier and some others that we’re Canadian and that’s the way we want it to remain,” Korotash said. “I’m going door to door anyways and I’m happy to collect signatures and happy to ask folks as I’m out chatting with people.”
Despite his own involvement, Korotash said he doesn’t think it’s that important for other candidates to become involved. Although it’s great if they wish to, he said.
“If there’s candidates that choose not to get involved or don’t want it for whatever reason, that’s fine,” he said. “I believe in what he’s [Lukaszuk] trying to do. I believe it’s a positive message about unity and about counteracting that anti-Ottawa sentiment and the separatist sentiment.”
Some other candidates are choosing to hop on board, while others are publicly voicing their support for the petition.
In an interview, city council candidate Skye Vermeulen said she would consider bringing the petition with her, although she has not begun door knocking. She called Alberta separation a non-starter.
“It’s critical we take a stance,” Vermeulen said when asked about municipal candidates speaking about the issue of separation.
Likewise, council candidate Sandy Clark said in an email that separation is not a solution, but a distraction.
“I don’t believe it is in the best interests of Albertans to divide out country. Now more than ever, we need to pull together as Canadians and Albertans – united in solidarity against the external forces that threaten our jobs, economy, and collective well-being,” Clark said in an email.
Mayoral candidate Wes Brodhead said that although he might not go out and collect signatures himself as part of door-knocking, he said that he did sign the petition himself when someone came to his door asking him to sign it.
“Everybody needs to stand up and be counted on this one,” Brodhead said.
Coun. Ken MacKay also said he would be willing to sign the petition himself, although he has no plans to take it with him and go door knocking.
“As an Albertan I can take a hard stance that my choice is to stay in Canada,” MacKay said.
In an interview, Lukaszuk said he put out a global call and welcomes municipal candidates collecting signatures for the petition as part of their campaign door knocking.
“I think it shows that they’re good Canadians and that they’re proud in being Canadians and that they don’t support any concept of separation,” Lukaszuk said.
He said that the municipal support of the petition is important to him, but added that he feels it should be equally as important to voters and the candidates themselves.
“They need to be clear on whether they support separatism or not and making this part of their campaign and making this a campaign issue and embracing this petition shows their commitment to Canada,” he said. “I think every candidate door knocking should be asked by voters: ‘What is your position on Alberta separating from Canada?’”
