Daniel Oberholzer

[Eva Chipiuk, BSc, LLB, LLM @echipiuk]

Today’s ruling by Justice Leonard essentially found that the citizen-led independence petition process cannot proceed because the government did not fulfill certain constitutional responsibilities owed to First Nations.

But here is the important point: the Alberta government did not initiate this petition process. Citizens did, through a lawful statutory mechanism created by the Legislature itself. So how does a court conclude that the government failed to fulfill duties that had not yet even arisen or been carried out, particularly when the government itself had not initiated the referendum process?

It is also important to understand that the Alberta government has always had the ability to call a referendum on independence at any time if it chose to do so. That is not in dispute, and it was not the legal question before the Court in this case. Nothing in today’s ruling prevents the Alberta government from calling the very same referendum itself tomorrow.

So think about that carefully.

A citizen-led democratic process established by law is effectively halted, not because citizens failed to follow the legislated process, but because of obligations assigned to government itself. Yet the government retains the full ability to ask the same question directly.

Courts and those in government must always have regard to the overall interests of justice, including democratic participation, the integrity of legislated statutory processes, and public confidence in lawful democratic frameworks established by the Legislature.

I figured it would be appropriate to reflect on a few words from the Supreme Court of Canada:

“…liberal democracy demands the free expression of political opinion” and political speech lies at the core of the Charter’s guarantee of freedom of expression. The Court further affirmed that freedom of expression includes “the right to attempt to persuade through peaceful interchange.” — Harper v. Canada

The Supreme Court of Canada has also held that:

“…the right of each citizen to participate in the political life of the country is one that is of fundamental importance in a free and democratic society.” — Figueroa v. Canada

And in the Reference re Secession of Quebec, the Supreme Court of Canada recognized that democracy is grounded in the participation and democratic will of the people, and that a clear expression of the will of citizens carries constitutional and political significance that cannot simply be ignored. Specifically, the Court confirmed:

“The democratic principle identified above would demand that considerable weight be given to a clear expression by the people of Quebec of their will to secede from Canada…” — Reference re Secession of Quebec

So how does any of this truly reconcile with a situation where government itself can ask citizens a question through a referendum process, but a group of citizens following a lawful statutory process established by the Legislature is not permitted to ask the question?

What message does that send when citizens engage in lawful democratic participation, comply with the very process created by government, and yet their voices are disregarded or treated as something to be feared?

Democracy is not strengthened when lawful citizen participation is restrained or silenced. In this case, it was not government stopping the process, but the Court. That reality raises profound questions about the role institutions play in democratic participation and how citizen engagement is treated when it touches controversial political issues.

After all, citizens do not hold institutional power. Their power is their voice. And if even that voice can be restrained after citizens lawfully engage in the exact democratic process created for them, what meaningful role are citizens truly left with in shaping the political future of their province and country?

What do you think? Should lawful citizen participation be encouraged, even when institutions disagree with the message?

[Daniel Oberholzer @danobey]

Alberta separatists say looming Carney majority helps their cause | Reuters

[Marc Nixon @MarcNixon24]

This is a brutal sight.

Healthy animals treated like garbage. 🗑️

For a party that screams about “protecting the planet,” the Liberals sure don’t care much about life.

Will this finally be the moment Canadians wake up?

[mistersunshinebaby @mrsunshinebaby]

Look at this photo. Take a long look at it.

This is what they did to hundreds of healthy, beautiful ostriches.

I can’t get this image out of my head. What a cruel, shameful operation.

[Dacey Media @chrisdacey]

Universal Ostrich Farms - Edgewood, BC

"That's your Canadian government right there that just did this.

I went to Bosnia, Somalia and Afghanistan and I did not serve my country for this bullsh*t that's in front of us.

The government committed their own a-f*ucking-trocity"

Sgt. Mike Rude (retired)

[Concerned Canadian @Concern70732755]

Horrific -this should never have happened -only in Canada !!

[Rebel News Canada @RebelNews_CA]

BREAKING: Rebel News confirms hundreds of ostriches dead following government cull order

Exclusive footage shows hundreds of ostriches lying lifeless in the “kill pen” built by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

https://t.co/F8LcVYYzLm

[Viva Frei @thevivafrei]

This is the link to the live feed on Universal Ostrich Farm.

Please share!

https://t.co/8IoBhmJjOv

[Save Our Ostriches call 250-870-8246 @OstrichFarmBC]

In less than 24 hours, these animals all could be dead running for their lives in fear and panic looking to the hands that have protected them for 35 years, that threat of being arrested to just detained and taken away. @elonmusk @Canada @TuckerCarlson @amuse

[Viva Frei @thevivafrei]

Canada to CULL 400 HEALTHY Ostriches — Appeals Exhausted, Order Imminent - a MIRACLE is Needed!

Please tag anyone with a voice.

[Sean Feucht @seanfeucht]

Late night worship session INSIDE the Alberta Legislative building rotunda. 🙏🏽🇨🇦#LetUsWorship

[Marty Moore @CanConLaw]

The cancellation of free Christian music events across Canada is an indictment of many areas of Canada society.

It appears that freedom is only alive in Alberta and Saskatchewan, and the countryside.

What a shame, including to Winnipeg, West Kelowna and Abbotsford.

[Sean Feucht @seanfeucht]

TORONTO TONIGHT 🤯🤯🤯

It feels like a movement of boldness was birthed here.

See you Western Canada!! #LetUsWorship

[Drea Humphrey @DreaHumphrey]

CHRISTIANS ARE NOT WELCOME 🇨🇦

6 Canadian venue cancellations = 1 message: GET OUT!

Canada revoked 6 of Sean Feucht’s FREE worship events while the media’s false prophets use MAGA rhetoric to justify the blatent Christophobia.

Rebel News will cover the truth.
“LET US WORSHIP.”

[Sean Feucht @seanfeucht]

We’ve now got the most stunning venues lined up from Montreal to Ottawa to Toronto this weekend!

The plan of the enemy has backfired BIG TIME up here!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

It’s provoking the church of Canada to take a stand! Stay tuned for all the announcements!

#LetUsWorship

[govt.exe is corrupt @govt_corrupt]

#WATCH: Mark Carney says Canada relies too heavily on the U.S. and oil and gas, and calls for a new, clean economy that's more focused on environmentalism.

He just gave the middle finger to Alberta. Their oil will stay in the ground.

Marxist Carney wants a net zero economy.

[Kim G C Moody @KimGCMoody]

I just watched @ABDanielleSmith’s address to Albertans—and it struck all the right chords with perfect pitch. In my view, it was one of the most compelling political speeches I’ve heard in a long time. I encourage all Canadians to take 20 minutes and watch it.

As a proud Albertan, I can tell you: the frustration here is very real. There was hope that the recent federal election might bring change. It hasn’t. If you’re a non-Albertan and can’t relate—or worse, are dismissive—I have one suggestion: come to Alberta. Talk to entrepreneurs. Talk to people working in our energy sector. It won’t take long to see how federal policies are directly harming our industries, our economy, and our communities.

And please—spare me the ideological spin.

Premier Smith’s proposed next steps are measured and reasonable. If the federal government is serious about unity and progress, the path forward should be rooted in respect—not division.

Kudos, Premier Smith.

[Keith Wilson @ikwilson]

BREAKING: Premier Smith unveils major updates to the Citizen Initiative Act. Now, only 177,000 signatures are needed to trigger a referendum on Alberta independence, down from 600,000. Plus, the signature collection period extends from 90 to 120 days. #ABPolitics #AlbertaIndependence

[David Jacobs @DrJacobsRad]

"We can do it with hope for a change."

It will come as a great surprise to many Canadians who pay only casual attention to politics that Pierre Poilievre is not the monster the Liberal spin doctors have told you he is.

Please have a listen.👇🏻

[Pierre Poilievre @PierrePoilievre]

Bonsoir Canada
🇨🇦
Goodnight Canada