Alberta's Citizen Input Act Faces First Test

0:00It's April 21st. Welcome to Canada News Today, powered by AI. I'm Corey with the story. A massive petition called Forever Canadian, hit nearly 439,000 signatures from Albertans, demanding the province make staying in Canada official policy. Under the new Citizen Initiative Act, a special committee with two NDP members and four from the UCP got struck back on March 10th to review it. Within 90 days. Earlier this week, the committee held its first meeting and things got tense right away. The NDP pushed motions to set a firm meeting schedule and wrap up by early May, so the report hits the legislature before it breaks on May 14th. Both got shot down by the UCP majority. NDP deputy leader Rocky Pancholi called it a dodge, saying the government wants to avoid MLA's voting on separatism talk before a potential fall. Referendum. She worries they're closing the door on real debate in the House. Meanwhile, UCP chair Brandon Luntie stressed urgency what

1:01insisted on a proper process to honor all those voices. They voted down inviting the petition organizer to speak and plan to bring in justice ministry and elections officials next, though no dates set yet. This standoff highlights cracks in the new act's promise of quick citizen input, leaving the petition's fate hanging as summer looms in referendum. Whispers grow louder.