Despite the premier’s declared support of citizen-initiated referendums, it’s looking like none of the questions on the October referendum ballot will be the direct byproduct of a citizen petition.

Nine of the questions come directly from the premier. The 10th is a weird, government-concocted mash-up of the Forever Canadian and Stay Free Alberta petitions, which managed to disappoint both groups.

And as for the 11th — it turns out there won’t be an 11th.

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The 10 referendum questions exist because the government wants them to. The case for having a citizen-initiative process is that it brings issues to the forefront that would not otherwise command the government’s attention.

In this context, the Water Not Coal petition, spearheaded by Alberta country musician Corb Lund, was a uniquely grassroots exercise. The government clearly didn’t want anything to do with the issue, but enough Albertans stepped up to say “too bad.”

Except, now it’s the government saying, “too bad.” Too bad your petition came when it did,........

© Calgary Herald