Alberta Justice Shaina Leonard threw out a petition organized by the separatist movement Stay Free Alberta calling for a referendum on independence, citing the group's failure to consult with Indigenous First Nations groups and saying the referendum would infringe on Indigenous treaty rights, BBC reported on May 13. Stay Free Alberta failed to consult with Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, Kainai Nation, Piikani Nation and Siksika Nation.

In Canada, entities are required to consult with Indigenous people on government actions that could infringe on their treaty rights. The ruling follows Stay Free Alberta's submission of 203,000 signatures to trigger a referendum for independence on May 4.