The UCP is super duper keen for you to know that Lukaszuk and the NDP wanted a referendum on their sovereignty question, not a vote of the Legislature.
They have provided receipts (below). Seems clear cut to me, but haven't been following this petition with eagle-eye focus either.
Do Lukaszuk and NDP have a case this should be a Legislature vote, not a referendum question?
From the UCP:
Selected examples of when Thomas Lukaszuk called for a referendum (emphasis added):
โOur referendum question means Albertans can vote YES and affirm their desire to stay Canadian.โ โ Thomas Lukaszuk, Forever Canada News Release, May 20, 2025
โI have filed an application with Elections Alberta to have a petition in Alberta on that question. And if we get enough signatures, which I have no doubt in my mind that we will, we will have a referendum in this province, but not about separating, about staying in Canada.โ โ Thomas Lukaszuk, CTV News: Former Alberta conservative MLA launches petition to stop Alberta separation, May 22, 2025
โIf weโre going to have a referendum anyway, on Albertaโs place in Canada, that conversation must be led by loyal Canadians, and it must be based on facts not disinformation. So, I chose to ask a question whether you agree that Alberta must remain in Canada and any form of separation must be rejected, to which the answer should be yes. And I want to have that kind of a positive, nation building conversation...If our question gets approved, I firmly believe that that will be the question on the referendum.โ โ Thomas Lukaszuk, CTV News: Alberta Primetime, May 29, 2025
โThe
#ForeverCanadian petition and referendum will not be won by money, but they will be won by our love for Canada.โ โ Thomas Lukaszuk,
@LukaszukAB Post on X, May 30, 2025
โEverything you need to know about the
#ForeverCanadian referendum petition.
#ableg #cdnpoliโ โ Thomas Lukaszuk,
@LukaszukAB Post on X, May 30, 2025
โThe
#ForeverCanadian movement has just completed our strategy pivot. From a successful petition signature gathering campaign, we transformed into a referendum campaign force. Weโre ready. Weโre focused. Weโre even stronger. Join us and sign up at:
Forever-Canadian.ca #ableg" - Thomas Lukaszuk,
@LukaszukAB Post on X, Feb. 7, 2026
โWe will be further collecting lists of supporters to make sure that on referendum day, we can make sure that everybody comes out and votes. So, I am on the assumption because I cannot not be on the assumption, that
there will be a referendum, so it is incumbent upon Forever Canadian to be ready for a referendum. We have to win this referendum. We have to win it with a high majority. So, we put separatism to bed.โ โ Thomas Lukaszuk, CTV News: Alberta Primetime, Feb. 10, 2026
o โYes, I am delighted that sheโs using our question as the question that will be on the referendum.โ โ Thomas Lukaszuk, Calgary Herald: Braid: Pro-Canada question could get the nod in upcoming referendum, April 24, 2026
o โTo win a referendum, we must get out the vote.โ โ Thomas Lukaszuk, Thomas A. Lukaszuk Facebook Post, May 8, 2026
Selected examples of when the Alberta NDP called for a referendum:
Naheed Nenshi:
โAnd I will say this today to Danielle Smith: if you want to flirt with separatism, put your money where your mouth is. Call the referendum. Premier, if you want a referendum on the ballot, put a referendum on the ballot. We need to have democratic outlets like a possible separation referendum to allow people to voice their opinions.โ โ Naheed Nenshi, Press Conference, April 30, 2025
โSo, I'm going to say this very, very clearly to Premier Smith. You want a referendum? Give us the referendum now.โ โ Naheed Nenshi, Press Conference, May 3, 2025
โYou want a referendum? Give us the referendum now. Call the referendum, call it now,โ โ Naheed Nenshi, The Tyee: Nenshi focuses on Smith and separation at NDP Convention, May 5, 2025
Rakhi Pancholi:
โHalf a million Albertans deserve to have their voices heard and deserve to have them heard now.โ โ Rakhi Pancholi, Citizen Initiative Petition Committee, April 21, 2026
Lori Sigurdson:
โItโs time to stop toying with the future of this province. If the Premier truly believes itโs right, then call the referendum now.โ โ Lori Sigurdson, Hansard, May 13, 2025