Huge lineups in Red Deer, Eckville to sign Alberta independence petition
CBC
Large crowds of people lined up around the block outside a pair of packed community halls in central Alberta on Wednesday night, to attend town halls focused on the idea of the province seeking independence from Canada.
The events were held in Red Deer and Eckville and were organized by the Stay Free Alberta campaign. Attendees could hear more about the campaign for a referendum on independence and also sign a petition pushing for such a referendum.
A common theme among people who showed up at the events was a desire for change.
“I don’t think that we’re heard here in Alberta as they are in the East, and we want to see some change,” said Sara Moberg, who lined up to sign the petition in Red Deer.
The petition was brought forward by Mitch Sylvestre, CEO of the Alberta Prosperity Project. Sylvestre, who spoke to attendees at the event in Eckville, got approval from Elections Alberta in December to start collecting signatures.
Stay Free Alberta has nearly four months to gather close to 178,000 signatures.
Moberg said her motivation was rooted in concern for the future.
“I want to see change for my kids,” she said. “I don’t want them to carry all the debt that’s going to happen if we keep what we have right now.
“I want my kids to see that I stood for something I believed in.”
Tracy Worthington was also at the Red Deer event. She said she’s hoping Albertans will choose “independence and the ability to govern ourselves without any federal overreach.”
Brandie Bowman said she is confident the group will reach the required number of signatures.
“The lines are there everywhere, at every event. It doesn’t matter if it’s a small town, a big city or a medium-sized city,” she said.
Bowman also spoke about grievances like being tired of equalization payments, and why she thinks sovereignty feels like a viable option.
“Jobs, homes … the ability to actually develop all of our resources,” she said. “Not just oil and gas, but our agriculture, critical minerals, forestry, … everything is hidden behind red tape.”
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