Collecting signatures for separation vote doesn’t violate treaty: Alberta’s lawyers – CityNews

Apr 10, 202

Lawyers for the Alberta government say collecting signatures for a potential referendum on separation doesn’t violate treaty rights, and they argue holding a vote on leaving Canada wouldn’t be a violation either.

“There’s no adverse harm,” Neil Dobson told an Edmonton courtroom Thursday in a hearing over challenges on the constitutionality of the province’s citizen-initiated referendum process.

Multiple First Nations launched the challenge. They argue the referendum process and its use by separatists in their ongoing petition campaign to force a vote violates treaty rights, including the duty to consult.

Dobson said there’s no need for consultation because the province isn’t taking policy action yet.

Read More: https://calgary.citynews.ca/2026/04/10/alberrta-separation-court/