NDP will call for emergency debate on electoral integrity and foreign interference in the Alberta referendum

OTTAWA – NDP MP Heather McPherson (Edmonton Strathcona) will today request an emergency debate in the House of Commons on concerning reports about electoral integrity and foreign interference in Alberta’s upcoming referendum.

Heather McPherson made the following statement:

“This morning, the Canadian Press revealed that with less than two weeks to go until Alberta's referendum, more than 3,000 mail-in ballots have been returned with errors that make them invalid.

We have been warning for months that Elections Alberta is under-funded and does not have the needed staff to process ballot packages or count the votes. The new complicated voting process introduced by the Danielle Smith’s government has created enormous accessibility barriers to voters. Alberta’s referendum is failing every democratic test we have.

These new reports raise serious questions: can Albertans trust that their votes will be counted? Can they trust the process and the outcome have not been influenced by foreign actors?

Today’s disturbing news comes in the wake of reports from this weekend detailing the extent of collaboration between Alberta separatists and Republican operatives in the United States. This is not just a provincial matter. It is a very serious threat to Canada’s democracy and national unity. On Monday I asked for an emergency debate but my request was denied.

I am hopeful with my request for an emergency debate today, Parliamentarians will have the opportunity to ask the federal government what they are doing to ensure the electoral integrity of this referendum.

Albertans have the right to a free and fair vote and to engage in the democratic process without fear of barriers to voting or foreign interference.”