Two Alberta separatists say their group has collected enough signatures from citizens to trigger a referendum on the province separating from Canada.
Mitch Sylvestre said the group, named Stay Free Alberta, has collected more than the approximate 178,000 required signatures.
They still have another month to go before they must deliver the names to Elections Alberta for verification, but Jeffrey Rath, the general counsel for the group, said they want to announce their success now.
Stay Free Alberta wants to boost the spirit of canvassers, who will still continue to gather names in the weeks to come, said Rath.
He also said the name-gatherers have been getting harassed in person and online, with one getting spit on.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has said she will move forward with a provincewide referendum if the required number of signatures are gathered and verified.
