Some residents of Alberta are hesitant to sign the Forever Canadian petition, fearing potential backlash from the United Conservative Party (UCP) government. Thomas Lukaszuk, the campaign's lead proponent, expressed these concerns during a recent statement. He noted that while these fears may be unfounded, they present a significant challenge as the campaign approaches its October 28 deadline.

Lukaszuk stated, "It’s perceived this Alberta government is not sympathetic towards this initiative so they have second thoughts (about signing). It’s a chilling factor for sure." This apprehension also extends to individuals who might want to host or organize events to collect signatures.

To alleviate these concerns, Lukaszuk reassures potential signers that their information will remain confidential. "I tell them they’ll only be seen by me and the chief electoral commissioner and then they’ll be destroyed," he said. He added that the government's perceived support for separatist movements contributes to these fears, stating, "That shouldn’t be something that crosses minds in a democratic society."

Lukaszuk also mentioned that some canvassers in smaller communities have been misinformed by municipal officials about the legality of collecting signatures on public property. He advised his team to avoid confrontation in such cases and to simply move to another location.

Despite these challenges, Lukaszuk remains optimistic about the campaign's success. He believes they will gather the nearly 300,000 signatures needed to support the question, "Do you agree Alberta should remain in Canada?" The campaign is supported by approximately 11,000 volunteers who are actively collecting signatures at various locations across the province.

Lukaszuk has personally collected 6,300 signatures, emphasizing that he is primarily focused on managing the campaign. He noted that interest in the initiative is high, with around 1,000 participants attending a recent online town hall. "I’m very optimistic . . . it’s going to happen," he said.

However, the decentralized nature of the campaign means that the total number of signatures collected is not fully known. With only about 70 days of active signature gathering remaining, Lukaszuk predicts that the petition could become the largest in Canadian history.

In a related note, vigils held in Edmonton, Calgary, and Red Deer recently attracted hundreds of participants, honoring slain American activist Charlie Kirk. Lukaszuk remarked that many hard-core Alberta separatists also support the idea of the province becoming a U.S. state, but he remains undeterred by this. "It motivates me to work harder," he said.

He believes that the reception his canvassers receive indicates that a significant majority of Albertans support remaining part of Canada, despite some polls suggesting otherwise. The campaign has found unexpected support in rural areas, where many residents feel their voices have been overshadowed by separatist sentiments.

Ultimately, the Forever Canadian campaign aims to discourage Premier Danielle Smith from pursuing a referendum on Alberta's separation from Canada. Political analysts have described the initiative as high-risk, noting that its success could diminish separatist momentum, while failure could potentially fuel it.