A third-party advertiser advocating for Alberta separation expressed satisfaction with Elections Alberta’s decision to require a pro-Confederation group to disclose certain campaign finances. Cory Morgan, the leader of Pathway to Independence, has criticized Forever Canadian for not initially revealing its fundraising totals. Morgan highlighted that Thomas Lukaszuk’s group had been actively campaigning without transparency on funding sources and without adhering to referendum fundraising rules. He welcomed the move by Elections Alberta to enforce disclosure requirements.
Elections Alberta recently reached a compliance agreement with Forever Canadian, led by former deputy premier Thomas Lukaszuk, outlining the need for the group to include events and expenses related to their campaigning efforts, including those involving the Unity Bus after August 20. Although Forever Canadian registered as a third-party advertiser in June, it had not disclosed financial contributions until recently. Lukaszuk defended the delayed disclosure, stating it was compliant with Elections Alberta’s regulations as they were not advocating for a specific referendum choice initially.
As of October 1, Forever Canadian reported over $94,000 in donations to Elections Alberta, well below the maximum contribution limit of $607,000 for third-party advertisers. The group pledged to directly campaign and disclose its election finances moving forward. Financial contributions over $50 must be reported, with a cap of $5,000 per individual per year, limited to Alberta residents.
Cory Morgan expressed concerns that the compliance agreement with Forever Canadian falls short of addressing the full extent of financial transparency needed. He emphasized the importance of timely disclosure before the voting day to ensure fairness and adherence to the rules. Rebel News Network Ltd. had previously lodged a formal complaint about Forever Canadian’s financial reporting, leading to a judicial review request, which was denied.
On October 19, Albertans will decide on their stance regarding remaining in Canada or proceeding with a second referendum on secession. Stephen Carter, leading pro-Confederation third-party advertiser Alberta’s Voice, supported the compliance agreement, emphasizing the importance of a fair and transparent referendum process overseen by Elections Alberta. Carter welcomed Forever Canadian’s inclusion in the third-party advertiser rules as a positive step towards ensuring a level playing field in the referendum.
