A Canadian judge ruled Wednesday that officials in Alberta erred in approving a petition from separatists in the province, a decision the pro-independence camp immediately pledged to appeal.
Stay Free Alberta, a citizens’ group that wants the western oil-rich province to break away from Canada, was granted permission by Elections Alberta to collect signatures in support of an independence referendum.
In the provincial capital, Edmonton, last week, the group delivered boxes they said contained the signatures of more than 300,000 supporters, enough names to trigger an October referendum.
However, an Alberta judge has ruled that the decision to approve the petition effort was flawed. Canadian media quoted Justice Shaina Leonard as saying officials failed to consult with Indigenous groups in Alberta who signed treaties with the British Crown before Canada became independent.
