Talk of separation is bad for business, according to Forever Canadian, an organization running a petition calling for Alberta to stay in Canada.
The non-partisan movement is collecting signatures for a petition to file for a referendum. The proposed question is “Do you agree that Alberta should remain in Canada?”
Between July 30 and October 28, 2025, Forever Canadian hopes to get 300,000 signatures.
Local residents, Dawn Hook and Carolyn Schoepp, agree with the sentiment and are working with the organization to gather signatures from Drayton Valley and Brazeau County residents.
Hook says she had heard about the separatist movement in the past few years, but didn’t give it much thought until the federal election last April.
“The day after the election, Premier Smith, changed the rules as to what filing a petition for a referendum entailed,” says Hook.
A few days later, Thomas Lukaszuk, a former Progressive Conservative cabinet minister and the founder of the grassroots, non-partisan organization, announced that he would be petitioning the Province for a referendum.
Once Hook heard about Forever Canadian and the premise behind their movement, she decided she wanted to support the effort of reducing the uncertainty about the Province’s future.
She says she wanted to be a part of settling this debate for Albertans, deciding to sign up with the group. Each canvasser gets training and a list of rules they need to adhere to for safety, and to keep the petition non-partisan.
While Hook has held a few events, situated in the park across from the Civic Centre, Schoepp has just finished her training and will be hosting her first event this week. This week, there will be events held at Carol Lapointe Professional Services at 5108 53 Street.
Both volunteers say it’s important for people to check the canvasser’s identification before they sign to be sure they are giving support for the legitimate petition. To be included in the final signature count, the petition must be signed in person. Copies circulating online are not valid.
