Labour unions were major third-party advertisers behind Alberta’s anti-separatist petition

Thomas Lukaszuk, who led the Forever Canadian petition, speaks to reporters at the Canadian Club in Calgary on April 15, 2026. Photo by Gavin Young/Postmedia

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Two of Alberta’s biggest unions advertised in favour of a petition to keep the province in Canada, with the labour groups spending more than 40 times those of the organizations who backed Alberta’s pro-separatist effort, according to a provincial public registry.

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As of April 9, the United Nurses of Alberta had spent $34,391.07 to advertise in support of the Forever Canadian petition, while the Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL) spent $10,000, according to Elections Alberta’s public registry. By comparison, the only two organizations who registered to advertise in favour of Alberta’s separatist petition spent a combined $2,349.

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According to provincial law, organizations planning to spend more than $1,000 advertising on behalf of a citizen-led petition must register with Elections Alberta as a third-party advertiser. Third party advertisers of petitions are distinct from donors, who are not listed in any public registry.

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The question of third-party advertising in the province’s citizen-led petitions has come under greater scrutiny in recent days, after media reports uncovered that Elections Alberta was investigating whether the proponents of the separation petition had breached its rules. Two opposing petitions — one that proposes Alberta separates from Canada, and another suggesting it remain — have been vying for public support in recent months. The Forever Canadian petition closed in October 2025, while the Alberta independence petition is currently gathering signatures, and has a May 2 deadline.

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Union groups have been some of the loudest voices opposing separation, saying it would threaten the terms of the Canada Health Act on which many of its members depend. Some First Nations have also opposed the separatist effort, arguing it could undermine their treaty rights.

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Thomas Lukaszuk, the proponent behind the Forever Canadian petition, said he never communicated directly with the unions about advertising efforts, as per Elections Alberta’s rules.

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“Frankly, when the nurses did it, it was a bit of a surprise,” Lukaszuk said.

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Brent Rathgeber, who co-managed the Forever Canadian petition, said they “put Chinese walls between” the unions and the Forever Canadian campaign to ensure independence from advertisers.

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In a radio ad, the United Nurses of Alberta said it was “very concerned about how separation from Canada could damage the public health care and public services that Albertans rely on every day.” The AFL has also opposed the Alberta independence petition, calling on its members to join a “ready to resist” campaign to protest against separation.

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David Cournoyer, communications advisor to the United Nurses of Alberta, said the $34,391 went toward both radio and digital advertisements in support of the petition.

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“United Nurses of Alberta’s elected board members voted to support the Forever Canadian citizen initiative because Canada is one of the best countries in the world and Alberta is better as part of Canada,” he said in an email.