First Nations applaud judge’s rejection of Alberta separation referendum question

Alberta First Nations are applauding a ruling by an Alberta Court of Kings Bench judge on Friday that a proposed question for a referendum on the province’s separation from Canada is unconstitutional.

The question being proposed in a citizen initiative petition by the Alberta Prosperity Project would ask, “Do you agree that the Province of Alberta shall become a sovereign country and cease to be a province in Canada?”

Alberta’s chief electoral officer , Gordon McClure, had requested a judge review the proposed question to determine if it violates the Constitution.

In his ruling, released late Friday, Justice Colin Feasby focused much of his ruling on the failure of the proposed question to guarantee First Nation treaty rights.

“First Nations, as founding partners in the crea