Clarity Act author asks Danielle Smith to clarify stance on Alberta separatists

Stéphane Dion, who tabled the Clarity Act, criticized Alberta separatist activity and urged Premier Danielle Smith to explain her position after the province lowered the signature requirement for a referendum; the U.S. State Department confirmed meetings with separatist organizers and said no commitments were made.

Stéphane Dion, the former intergovernmental affairs minister who tabled the Clarity Act, criticized growing separatist activity in Alberta and asked Premier Danielle Smith to clarify her position. He raised concerns after the Alberta government lowered the signature threshold for a referendum to 177,000. The U.S. State Department confirmed it had met with separatist organizers and said no commitments were made. Dion also questioned who would lead negotiations if a referendum produced a pro-secession result. Key points: - Stéphane Dion publicly criticized Alberta separatist efforts and called the provincial decision to lower the referendum signature threshold irresponsible. - Alberta reduced the required signatures from 600,000 to 177,000, a change separatist organizers said advantaged their cause. - The U.S. State Department confirmed meetings with separatist organizers and stated that no commitments were made. Summary: Stéphane Dion has called on Premier Danielle Smith to explain her position and to outline what would follow if a referendum moved forward, including who would negotiate on behalf of Alberta. The lowered signature threshold has intensified discussion about the prospect of a referendum while contacts between U.S. officials and separatist organizers have been acknowledged. Undetermined at this time.