The western Canadian province of Alberta will appeal a court ruling that blocks a potential vote on separation from the country, after a judge found the government failed to meet its obligation to consult with Indigenous peoples.
The decision from the Court of King¡¯s Bench of Alberta on Wednesday is a major setback for the independence movement in Alberta, which holds most of the country¡¯s known oil reserves and exports millions of barrels a day of crude to the United States. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said the province would appeal the ruling, as did the leaders of a pro-independence group known as Stay Free Alberta.
At a news conference, Smith said that although her government supports Alberta staying in Canada, the judgment was "anti-democratic.¡± She didn¡¯t rule out alternative ways of posing a referendum question when asked, saying she¡¯d consult with her party¡¯s lawmakers.
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