Articles by Ken MacGillivray

Technology

Petition to keep Alberta in Canada ‘really close’ to collecting enough signatures

The former Alberta politician trying to keep the province from splitting up with Canada says his “Forever Canadian” campaign is getting “really, really close” to collecting enough signatures to trigger a vote on the province’s future in Canada. The campaign, led by former MLA Thomas Lukaszuk, needs to collect almost 30,000 signatures on a petition that asks, “Do you agree that Alberta should remain within Canada?” In an update on social media on Wednesday, Lukaszuk expressed confidence that the campaign will be able to collect enough signatures, but he also urged people to continue to sign the petition because he expects some of the signatures collected will be rejected. “No one really knows (how many signatures we have) because a large number of petitions haven’t been delivered yet, but we are getting really, really close, we know that for sure,” said Lukaszuk. “Now we need to get over that bump, because we know that some signatures will inevitably be rejected for one reason or another. So we need at least a 10 to 15 per cent buffer,” Lukaszuk added. A spokesperson in the office of Alberta’s Chief Electoral Officer says if the petition is successful in gathering the required number of signatures, it would then be referred to the provincial legislature which would refer it to a committee. Lukaszuk claims the committee would have two choices: recommend Albertans be given an opportunity to vote in a referendum, or allow MLAs to vote on the petition question on the floor of the legislature. He says the “right thing to do, both morally and fiscally,” would be to give MLAs a chance to vote. Lukaszuk is confident if that happens, “the majority will vote in favour” of Alberta remaining in Canada and “this nonsense talk about Alberta separation could cease immediately.” The Forever Canadian campaign was started as a counter to Alberta separatists, who want a referendum on Alberta independence. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has declined to endorse the Forever Canadian campaign, saying instead that she wants to see a sovereign Alberta within a united Canada. However, both Smith and Justice Minister Mickey Amery have said an opposing question asking whether Alberta should separate from Canada is constitutional and should have been approved by Elections Alberta. The province’s chief electoral officer referred that question, proposed by the Alberta Prosperity Project to the Alberta Court of Kings Bench, for a judicial review of whether it violates the Canadian Constitution, including treaty rights. The deadline for Lukaszuk to deliver his Forever Canadian petition to the province’s Chief Electoral Officer is Oct. 28. –with files from The Canadian Press.

Technology

Avian flu discovery prompts Calgary Zoo to close some exhibits

The discovery of a highly pathogenic strain of avian flu near the Calgary Zoo has prompted the facility to take steps to protect its animals from the dangerous bacteria. In a statement on social media, the zoo said the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian flu in close proximity to the zoo. As a result, the zoo has decided to close some of its exhibits, move some animals indoors and restrict public access to parts of the zoo. The Rainforest Aviary and the Jihad Shibley Rocky Mountain Aviary have both been closed and where possible all birds have been moved indoors, which means the public may not be able to see some of the animals. The birds affected by the changes include whooping cranes, red-crowned cranes, peacocks, Chilean flamingoes, African grey-crowned cranes and greater rheas. The zoo said it is also taking measures to protect its penguins by increasing disinfection on pathways and installing disinfecting mats at the entrance to the penguin plunge. Despite the extra security measures, the zoo says the penguin plunge will be open as planned on Tuesday. The CFIA describes Avian Flu, commonly known as “bird flu,” as a contagious viral infection that affects several species of food-producing birds, as well as pet birds, wild birds and mammals. Most avian influenza viruses are low pathogenic and typically cause little or no signs of illness in infected birds. However, highly pathogenic viruses can cause severe illness and death in birds and in rare cases can also infect humans when people have close contact with infected birds or their environments. An outbreak of avian flu that killed 69 ostriches at a B.C. ostrich farm in late 2024 has also led to an ongoing tense standoff at the farm between the CFIA and the birds owners and supporters.