Alberta Legislature

By The Canadian Press

Provincial Politics

Blackout rules regarding petitions being proposed by Alberta’s government

Mar 30, 2026 | 4:12 PM

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s government is proposing blackout rules on when citizens can launch petitions.

Justice Minister Mickey Amery has outlined the changes in a bill now before the house.

If passed, it would make it impossible to start a petition for a constitutional or policy referendum a year before or a year after a provincial election.

Amery says the goal is to clear the path for clear decisions at the ballot-box around election time.

The next provincial election is set for October of 2027.

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This is the latest in multiple recent changes to Alberta’s law governing citizen-led petitions.

One group is currently seeking enough signatures to force a referendum on Alberta leaving Canada.

(The Canadian Press)