Conservative MP says First Nations votes will be critical in Alberta separation referendum

conservativist Leader capital of south dakota Poilievre says conservativist members of Parliament ar go down to spend their summer break campaigning for Albertans to stay in Canada — and one member of his caucus says he will focus on working with Indigenous leaders to get out the vote.

Edmonton Northwest MP Billy Morin said chiefs are doing something "very admirable" in Alberta by fighting for treaties and for Canadian unity.

"This one matters. We can't sit this one out," he said.

Albertans are set to vote in October on whether they want to stay in Canada or prefer to hold a future binding referendum on separating from the country.

Poilievre said last month that he and his caucus will be campaigning across Alberta over the summer and encouraging people to stay in "the Canadian family."

Poilievre says he and his party will 'fight' for a united Canada

Morin, who was chief of Enoch Cree Nation before entering federal politics, said he understands many First Nations people are reluctant to vote.

Until 1960, First Nations people were generally forced to forfeit their Indian status in order to cast a ballot in federal elections. Even though the law was changed, some Indigenous people are still wary of taking part in elections while others believe it's a violation of the treaties.

Data from Elections Canada shows voter turnout in the 2021 election was lower for First Nations electors than for others.

Morin said First Nations people feel like they "have a target on their back when it comes to Alberta separation," as a result of the court case that quashed an effort to push for a citizen-led referendum on separation.

First Nations in Alberta successfully challenged that referendum process, arguing it was unconstitutional because it did not require Indigenous consultation, and separation would violate treaty rights.

The judge ruled in May that the province didn't fulfil the duty to consult with First Nations.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith at the time called the ruling undemocratic and pledged to appeal. She later formalized the wording of the Oct. 19 referendum question — which asks not if Albertans want to separate but whether they want to begin the legal process toward a binding referendum on secession.

What could Alberta separation cost the province?

Prime Minister Mark Carney has called the question a "dangerous bluff."

Morin said that while he believes the referendum will fail, that doesn't mean separatism activities will end.

"I think this is moving beyond reconciliation now and going back to what treaty ultimately meant, which was working together," he said.

"Albertans are not going anywhere, First Nations people are not going anywhere, regardless of what happens in this referendum, and we have to get down to the table together and kind of chart out a path."

Sarah Ritchie is a reporter with The Canadian Press.

---

---