Treaty 6 Confederacy troubled by Alberta’s passing of Bill 14

Politically motivated changes to Citizen Initiative Act “should alarm all Albertans”

December 11, 2025 (Treaty No. 6 Territory) — The Government of Alberta has passed Bill 14, making major changes to the Citizen Initiative Act. These changes raise serious concerns for First Nations and all Albertans regarding their legal rights and the democratic process. The Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 First Nations rejects Bill 14, while separatists in this province are celebrating a victory.

“This is disappointing from a government that speaks often about its respect for First Nations. Serious concerns were raised earlier this year about how a citizen initiative for a referendum on Alberta separation would be against Treaty and completely illegal.” says Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 First Nations Grand Chief Greg Desjarlais. “At that time, language guaranteeing Constitutional and Treaty Rights was added to the Citizen Initiative Act. It seems while we were in court defeating the separatism question the Premier was pressured by UCP members to quickly bring in Bill 14, changing the rules and removing those protections. This Bill was created on behalf of a loud minority with no respect for Albertans or the Treaty relationship and it guarantees the separatism question will be asked again.”

Bill 14 removes safeguards ensuring citizen initiative petitions cannot breach sections 1-35 of the Constitution Act, 1982. Bill 14 enables ballot questions that disregard Albertans’ Charter and Treaty Rights. The changes enacted by this Bill remove protections for Constitutional, Treaty and human rights from the process. As well, the power to question the legality of referendum questions has been taken away from Alberta’s Chief Electoral Officer, interfering with their democratic responsibilities. This should be alarming for all Albertans.

The Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 First Nations stands firmly against any legislation that undermines Constitutional protections and the legal status of Treaty. Bill 14 risks silencing First Nations voices and eroding the rule of law in Alberta.

Media Contact:

Jill McKenzie

pipikwan pêhtâkwan

Director of Strategy and Media Relations

jill@pipikwanphetakwan.com