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Alberta's sport minister says he hasn't signed petition for separation vote

  • Jack Farrell

    Jack Farrell

  • Canadian Press

  • February 9, 2026

Andrew Boitchenko, Minister of Tourism and Sport for Alberta poses for a photo holding a team Canada jersey during the announcement that the 2027 IIHF World Junior Championship will be hosted by Edmonton and Red Deer at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Timothy Matwey

EDMONTON -- Alberta's sport minister says he hasn't signed his name to a petition that seeks to force a referendum on the province quitting Canada.

Andrew Boitchenko says he and Premier Danielle Smith's United Conservative Party government are focused on strengthening Alberta's position within Canada.

Boitchenko's comment comes after a leader for the group organizing the separatist petition said some unnamed members of Smith's caucus have signed it.

Smith has said she isn't aware of any caucus members signing but she won't be policing them.

A spokesperson for the UCP caucus has also said it isn't aware of any legislature members adding their names to the petition.

Members of the Opposition NDP say they have signed pledges denouncing separatism and are urging their UCP counterparts to do the same, while the UCP calls it a distracting stunt.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 9, 2026.