A citizen-led petition affirming Alberta should remain part of Canada has been verified by elections officials and is now on its way to the legislature.

In a statement, Elections Alberta says it accepts that more than 400,000 citizens signed the petition spearheaded by former provincial deputy premier Thomas Lukaszuk.

That exceeds the legally required minimum to force a plebiscite by more than 100,000 names.

By law, the issue now moves to the legislature where a committee can decide whether to proceed with a referendum on the topic.

Lukaszuk said he engineered the petition to counter calls and demands for separatism in some quarters.

Despite the details outlined in the petition application, Lukaszuk said he opposes a referendum and would prefer Premier Danielle Smith and other legisla

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