Stay application filed by Alberta separatist group following last week’s court decision

Stay Free Alberta supporters are seen outside of Elections Alberta on May 4, 2026. (Nicole Weisberg/CTV News Edmonton)

The organizers behind the Stay Free Alberta independence movement filed a stay application with the Court of Appeal on Tuesday to have Justice Shaina Leonard’s court decision on the separatist petition set aside pending appeal.

“On the basis that it’s such a bad decision and the democratic rights of 301,620 Albertans have been literally shredded on the most spurious of judicial reasoning,” said organizer Jeffrey Rath.

On Wednesday, the Select Special Citizen Initiative Proposal Review Committee will meet in Edmonton at the legislature.

The agenda for that meeting is blank, and it’s unclear what will be addressed.

The premier’s office would not say whether Danielle Smith plans to carry out a referendum question under Alberta’s Referendum Act, despite the ruling last week.

“As the premier has stated, we believe the court’s decision is incorrect in law and anti-democratic, and therefore we will be appealing it,” said Sam Blackett, press secretary to Smith.

“Cabinet and the UCP caucus will be meeting in the coming days to discuss this matter.”

The 25th Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations, Bob Rae, was in Calgary giving a speech to the University of Calgary on sustainability.

The former federal and Ontario provincial politician says separation talks do not unify a country.

“I fought against separation in Quebec twice, and I’ve been around a while, and I would fight against it in Alberta,” said Rae.

“I don’t think it’s in the interests of the people of Alberta. No, it isn’t, and I know it isn’t in the interests of the people of Canada.”

Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi says Smith is in political turmoil, trying to appease separatists in her party.

“The party has been taken over by separatists. She is the premier because she made a deal with the separatists to allow her to win the UCP leadership,” said Nenshi.

“And now the other shoe is dropping. So, we know two things for sure. No. 1, the UCP is now a separatist party. And No. 2, the premier is giving in to the separatists to save her own political skin.”

Nenshi says Smith has disguised herself.

“There is no petition, there is no referendum. The only way that there will be a referendum is if Danielle Smith makes one happen herself,” said Nenshi.

“And if she does do that and the mask slips, then we know she’s been a separatist this entire time.”

The province plans to appeal last week’s court decision.

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