Alberta Independence Petition Hits Signature Goal

0:00It's April 6th. I'm Cory with the story, and this has been Cooper News today, local news powered by AI. Stay free Alberta just announced they hit the 177,732 signatures needed to push for an end. Independence referendum from Canada. That threshold comes from Bill 14, and it verified it could land on the October 19th ballot with the question, should Alberta break away. To become its own nation, the group has until May 2nd to submit everything to elections Alberta for a full check. The United Conservative Party government, led by Premier Danielle Smith, promised to include it if the signatures hold up, potentially sparking long. Negotiations with the crown, if it passes. First nations are pushing back hard, especially the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation near Grande Prairie. They argue the petition ignores their treaty 8 rights from 1899, signed with the crown before Alberta even existed as a province. In 1905, this week, a Court of Kings Benz Judge in Edmonton

1:01starts hearing their injunction against the petition, the province, and federal officials. They're seeking to stop it cold, repeal parts of Bill 14, and get $250,000 for costs. Even with the court drama, observers say a vote is still on track for October, since Smith could add it anyway. Stay free claims, an independent Alberta would respect Indigenous rights better, but more First Nations might join the legal fight ahead.