An Alberta Court of Appeal judge overturned the ruling that quashed the Stay Free Alberta separation petition.
Claimed by: Misreading of the June 18, 2026 stay hearing before Justice Alice Woolley
False: False as written according to the settled evidence. How we rate.
Summary
On June 18, 2026, Court of Appeal Justice Alice Woolley heard arguments on whether to stay Justice Shaina Leonard's May ruling that set aside approval of the Stay Free Alberta independence petition. Woolley said several aspects of Leonard's decision caused her concern, including the finding that issuing the petition triggered binding steps requiring the government to implement a referendum result and the finding that the chief electoral officer could decide matters of law. Those remarks were made in the context of a stay application on a limited record, and Woolley explicitly said they did not indicate how she would ultimately rule. She reserved her decision and said it would come in writing but not immediately. No appeal judge has yet overturned Leonard's ruling.
Evidence
On June 18, 2026, Justice Woolley heard a stay application and said three aspects of Leonard's May ruling caused her concern, but reserved her decision and noted her remarks did not indicate how she would rule on the full appeal.
Woolley said she would deliver her stay decision in writing at a later date, adding it would not be long but would not be the same day as the hearing.
Leonard's May 2026 ruling set aside the chief electoral officer's approval of the independence petition on treaty-rights and consultation grounds; Alberta and the petition organizers are appealing, but the ruling remains in effect pending the appeal process.
Related claims
- Alberta can call an independence referendum without consulting First Nations.False
- If 10% of Albertans sign a citizen initiative petition, the government must hold a binding referendum on that question.False
- The Alberta government appealed the court ruling that quashed the Stay Free Alberta separation petition.True
- An Alberta Court of Appeal judge granted a partial stay allowing Elections Alberta to verify Stay Free Alberta petition signatures while the appeal proceeds.True