Advocacy group calls on prime minister to penalize deputy minister over conflict of interest violation

An Alberta Court of King’s Bench judge has blocked Elections Alberta’s approval of a petition that would force a referendum on the province separating from Canada. In two decisions posted on Wednesday, Justice Sheila Leonard ruled that Alberta’s chief electoral officer Gordon McClure wrongfully approved the petition given an earlier ruling that found the separation question would violate First Nations’ treaty rights. She also found that the Crown had failed in its duty to consult with applicants Piikani Nation, Siksika Nation, Blood Tribe and Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation. Despite...