Smith agreed, reiterating earlier assertions of judge error, saying the decision would set “dangerous precedent.” “I think the court made a mistake, that ‘duty to consult’ is based on government action that governments are going to take. (The referendum) is a testing of the waters to see if Albertans even want us to have this question, even start the process, and so we put the remain question on the ballot, ‘Do you want to remain in Alberta?’ That’s option one, but we had to define
what ‘no’ meant. You can’t just ask a question, ‘Do you want to remain in Alberta, yes or no?’ Because what if everybody votes no? What are you supposed to do next? So, what does ‘no’ mean?” Smith said. Smith said a “no” vote would launch the legal process to hold a binding vote on separation, and she needs to get an “indication from Albertans” whether they even want to have that conversation. “That’s what we put on the ballot, and we’re going to continue
to fight it out in the court, because I think that it’s a very dangerous precedent to be set that people are not allowed to have a say on a democratic issue,” she said.
Alberta, separation referendum, Danielle Smith, court fight, democracy, duty to consult, binding vote
So basically the court messed up and now they’re still arguing? Wild.
I don’t even get the whole “duty to consult” thing. If people voted no then what, they just magically separate anyway?? Sounds like everyone’s talking in circles.
The “what does ‘no’ mean?” part got me lol. Like… no means no? But I guess they mean no to remain? Honestly I’m tired of politicians using referendums as a vibe check and then acting surprised by the outcome. Also courts “dangerous precedent” sounds like fear-mongering.
Americans always think Canada is calm but this is the same drama. If they keep fighting in court then the referendum never actually ends, right? And didn’t they already vote or something? It’s like, if the court said it was wrong, why not just move on instead of dragging it out and saying democracy like that fixes the legal problem. Also “testing the waters” sounds like they want the answer without taking responsibility for it.