Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has announced that Conservative MPs will be using their summer break to advocate for Albertans to remain part of Canada. Edmonton Northwest MP Billy Morin stated that he will be collaborating with Indigenous leaders to mobilize voter participation.
Morin emphasized the importance of this campaign, highlighting the efforts of chiefs in Alberta who are staunchly defending treaties and Canadian unity. The upcoming October vote in Alberta will determine whether residents wish to remain within Canada or opt for a future referendum on separation.
Poilievre disclosed plans for him and his caucus to engage in a province-wide campaign during the summer, urging residents to stay within “the Canadian family.” Morin, a former chief of Enoch Cree Nation, acknowledged the hesitancy among many First Nations individuals to participate in voting due to historical barriers.
Despite changes in voting laws, some Indigenous people remain cautious about electoral participation given past injustices and concerns over treaty rights. Recent data from Elections Canada indicates lower voter turnout among First Nations electors compared to other demographics in the 2021 election.
Morin highlighted the sense of vulnerability felt by First Nations communities in Alberta regarding the push for separation. Legal challenges by Indigenous groups have successfully contested the referendum process, arguing that it lacked proper consultation and could violate treaty rights.
Premier Danielle Smith faced criticism following a court ruling that deemed the referendum process unconstitutional due to insufficient Indigenous consultation. The referendum question on the October 19 ballot focuses on initiating the legal process for a binding referendum on secession rather than immediate separation.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has criticized the referendum question as a “dangerous bluff.” Morin expressed skepticism about the referendum’s success but emphasized the need for continued collaboration and dialogue among all stakeholders regardless of the outcome.
He stressed the importance of unity and partnership, stating that regardless of the referendum’s result, Albertans and First Nations must come together to navigate the path forward.