Moe promotes a “united Canada” but won’t condemn Western separatists

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Premier Scott Moe didn’t say how he would vote if a referendum was called in regard to Saskatchewan separating from Canada.

The referendum question is top of mind for many in the West as Alberta Premier Danielle Smith‘s government proposes legislation which, if passed, would make changes to provincial election rules. The legislation would also make it easier for Alberta to call a referendum — any referendum, including one that could result in leaving Canada.

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Prior to Monday’s federal election, Smith alluded to an “unprecedented national unity crisis” should the Liberal party form a fourth consecutive government.

The Liberals did just that but, in the immediate aftermath, Moe opted to take a more conciliatory tone, saying he looked forward to working with Prime Minister Mark Carney and even inviting him to Saskatchewan.

That said, Moe’s follow-up comments on Thursday didn’t flat-out oppose a referendum on remaining in Canada.

“If Saskatchewan citizens want to have their voice heard in the way of a plebiscite or referendum, they’re going to get their voice heard,” said Moe, who repeatedly butted heads with former prime minister Justin Trudeau and his Liberal policy makers.

Regarding the question of how he’d vote, Moe said: “you’re getting way over your skis with respect to what that process might be, or what that process might entail.”

Earlier in the day, following question period in the Saskatchewan legislature, Moe did say “we believe in a strong, growing, vibrant Saskatchewan within a united nation of Canada.”

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Still, the premier did not explicitly say how he would vote should a referendum be called.

NDP Leader Carla Beck said Moe’s answer was “cowardly.”

“I want to see him rule it out,” said Beck. “It shouldn’t have been difficult for the premier to simply state, ‘I am not in favour of our province separating from Canada.’”

How a referendum works in Saskatchewan

In Saskatchewan, a referendum or plebiscite can be triggered in different ways. For a plebiscite, 15 per cent of eligible electors must sign a petition, which contains the question to be voted upon. The chief electoral officer must verify the signatures before the vote can proceed.

According to Elections Saskatchewan, “unlike a plebiscite, results of a referendum are binding on the government that initiated the referendum.” A referendum can be ordered by the lieutenant-governor in council which, according to a legislative glossary, means acting on the advice of executive council or cabinet.

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But the vote on a referendum is only binding if more than 60 per cent of valid ballots are cast the same way. Also, 50 per cent of eligible voters must participate in the referendum, according to The Referendum and Plebiscite Act.

On Wednesday, Beck sought confirmation from Moe that he “commit here and now that there will never be a vote like this in Saskatchewan, and will he call his friend in Alberta and tell her to stop fanning the flames of separatism?”

Moe said “the only people speaking about separation is the Opposition party.”

Beck has said she would like the provincial government to “take a look at the act” given the current circumstances, acknowledging that Western sentiments of alienation are real.

However, she emphasized that separations is “not on.”

“This is incredibly reckless behaviour,” Beck continued. “It’s petulant. It’s a temper tantrum at a time when we need grown-ups at the table.”

As for committing to not having a referendum, Moe said that’s up to voters and the people of the province.

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“We’ll follow the legislation,” added the premier, who also declined to offer stern words for those looking to separate.

“I am not about condemning Canadians.”

– with files from The Canadian Press

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