On Oct. 19, Albertans will have the opportunity to have their say on several important questions in a referendum.

I am asking our cabinet to consider adding an additional question: “Should Alberta remain a province of Canada or should the Government of Alberta commence the legal process required under the Canadian Constitution to hold a binding provincial referendum on whether or not Alberta should separate from Canada?”

Between the “Forever Canada” petition on Alberta remaining in Canada, and the “Stay Free Alberta” petition requesting a referendum on leaving Canada, approximately 700,000 Albertans — representing nearly a quarter of Alberta’s eligible voting population — have signed petitions on this issue.

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Kicking the can down the road only prolongs an emotional and important debate, and muzzling the voices of hundreds of thousands of Albertans who want to be heard is unjustifiable in a free and democratic society.

It’s time to have a vote, understand the will of Albertans, and move on.

I will be voting for Alberta to remain in Canada, while continuing to work every day to restore and strengthen provincial rights under the Canadian Constitution.

Separation is not the answer, and neither........

© Calgary Herald