Better ways to further Alberta's interests than sovereignty referendum

Alberta is seriously misreading its hand in the high-stakes game of constitutional poker.

Inspired by Quebec’s successes, Alberta is almost certainly going to hold a referendum on secession. This move is made possible by legislation that allows citizen-initiated referenda when enough voters sign a petition demanding one.

This means that while Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s government is not technically calling the referendum, it made the referendum possible by changing the law to make it easier for citizen groups to trigger such votes.

Smith, herself a fervent advocate for Canada, likely did this to conciliate the secessionist minority in her own political base, thinking that a referendum defeat would take the wind out of their sails and leave Alberta’s negotiating position with Ottaw