[ad_1]Forever Canadian leader Thomas Lukaszuk (source: Forever Canadian / Facebook)It was a full house in Edmonton. Around 6,000 people, many wearing red and white and waving maple leaf flags, filled the Edmonton Expo Centre to join the last Forever Canadian rally ahead of the October 19 referendum. The separation referendum initiated by Premier Danielle Smith has inspired a movement of thousands who likely never thought they’d need to devote so much time as volunteers to keep Alberta in Canada. The event was led by former CBC sportscaster Mark Connolly and included speeches from former Edmonton Oiler Kevin Lowe, Edmonton Mayor Andrew Knack, and Prime Minister Mark Carney, who grew up in the Laurier Heights neighborhood of Edmonton. Carney was a major attraction at the rally and has confidently taken on his role as Captain Canada in the Alberta referendum campaign. He received the loudest cheers from the enthusiastic crowd of Edmontonians, but it was Thomas Lukaszuk, founder of Forever Canadian, who emerged as one of the standout figures in this referendum effort. The former four-term Progressive Conservative MLA from Edmonton-Castle Downs and provincial cabinet minister is recognized for his distinctive hair and bold style during debates in the Legislature. He took a strong public stance against separatism early on during this latest round of Alberta's independence discussions. Lukaszuk stepped forward when no other conservative politicians were willing to approach such a sensitive issue. Lukaszuk quickly became synonymous with the Forever Canadian group and traveled across Alberta in his Unity Bus motorhome. His commitment helped spark a movement that engaged thousands of Albertans to volunteer for collecting signatures for citizen initiative petitions urging United Conservative Party MLAs to take a clear stance on whether Alberta should leave Canada. I was initially doubtful about whether the Forever Canadian petition would succeed or if pursuing it was even wise, but I stand corrected. When we submitted our petitions, we had gathered an impressive 456,365 signatures. A remarkable achievement.Alberta referendum 2026: Tracking who's who in the separation debateDespite gathering nearly half a million signatures from Albertans wishing for their province to remain part of Canada, UCP government chose to ignore the Forever Canadian petition and let it gather dust for six months. A judge had to invalidate the Stay Free Alberta separatist petition before UCP MLAs finally started paying attention to what Forever Canadian had done. Even then, Lukaszuk found himself treated like an adversary while confused UCP MLA stumbled through passing a motion for holding the separation referendum. UCP cabinet ministers Nate Glubish and Jason Nixon aggressively questioned Lukaszuk as they tried shifting blame for needing a separation referendum onto him rather than acknowledging their own members who were organizing actual separatist activities. However, Lukaszuk stood firm, calmly repeating that he preferred MLAs vote on separation instead of conducting a referendum. The government MLAs disagreed with him. Over 150 days later, Forever Canadian signs are now seen prominently displayed across countless front lawns throughout Alberta.Thousands of volunteers involved with Forever Canadian and other pro-Canada groups working during this referendum have put in endless hours trying to protect this country they love. Yet when future historians look back at this period years from now, they'll recognize Thomas Lukaszuk as one of key figures shaping this crucial moment. This is Thomas Lukaszuk’s speech given at the Forever Canadian rally held in Edmonton on October 16, 2026: Hello Edmonton! Thank you all very much! It feels great to be back home parking my Unity Bus here today! Thank you! But tonight is really about you; each person here is part of those amazing 18,000 volunteers dedicated over these past year-and-a-half months with us at Forever Canadian. You’re responsible for collecting signatures - nearly half a million all around Alberta! Yes! Thank you! You’ve also managed putting out over 100,000 lawn signs throughout our province-they're everywhere! You’re incredible! I often get asked why I’m doing this? Why have I spent these last eighteen months driving around this old bus? Well honestly it's been quite personal for me. As Mark Connolly mentioned earlier I immigrated here back in ’82 not expecting ever returning home again-to Poland where I used to live.And all you- not just Canada itself- but each one among you has become family too me personally since then; welcoming both myself along with my loved ones while providing opportunities beyond what we ever thought possible before arriving here!A special mention goes out toward someone whom I remember vividly from my teenage years-a young lawyer named Eleanor Olszewski-who helped my mother out pro bono regarding Immigration issues back when she first arrived herself! If you're present please wave hello now Eleanor!Eleanor embodies precisely what kind Canadians-and ultimately type nation-I wish continue seeing exist going forward; being open-hearted welcoming individuals accepting everyone unconditionally into our lives together! We absolutely cannot afford any more attempts undermining that spirit now nor hold referendums either!!<p<We find ourselves amidst turbulent geopolitical situations worldwide currently happening-as all know well enough already-the world gazes toward Canada looking towards leadership examples needed right now indeed… And fortunately we've found such leader within PM Carney too; knowing others observe him along side us trusting guidance moving forward through challenging times ahead!This moment demands building up our economy further strengthening both economic & national security interests-not tearing apart instead !!This stands true especially considering current events unfolding globally right now-it sends powerful messages abroad showing unity stemming forth declaring CANADA IS INDEPENDENT & WILL NEVER BECOME A '51ST STATE'!!!Sure there will always remain outstanding questions/issues needing addressing down road-that said though-separation doesn’t solve anything whatsoever ! Quite opposite actually… So let's demonstrate how AB isn’t weak link confederation either !Friends , we're making history here today - believe me decades later Children grandchildren will read about THIS exact moment studying histories understanding lessons learned taught during social studies classes themselves.. And judging how invested/caring truly cared about CANADA?? Did we care enough go vote ??Please recall too remaining questions posed unto us afterward. What types individuals did we represent ? How related amongst one another essentially ? Who were simply human beings ??Thus challenge arise ; let's shatter records turnout ballot boxes unprecedented amounts!! Show rest country lawmakers worldwide together we're UNBREAKABLE united coast-to-coast !!! This IS OUR STRENGTH !!So if haven’t voted yet please JOIN ME VOTE ‘NO’ AGAINST ALL FIRST NINE QUESTIONS CHOOSING OPTION ONE QUESTION NUMBER TEN : CANADA !CANADA WE'RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE STAYING HERE LEADERSHIP NOT LEAVING THIS LAND AT ALL!!Watch Lukasuk’s entire speech plus recordings relating forever canadian rally CPAC near future follow ups planned thereafter sure only way ensure success upcoming elections coming soon ahead.ShareList candidates running alberta next provincial electionNenshi’s NDP delivers final pre-referendum pitch , party turns GOTV ahead October nineteenPart One : canada needs alberta alberta needs canadaPart Two : canada needs alberta alberta needs canadaIn Session: First Nations Chiefs hit back against Alberta separatism[ad_2]Source link
