Canada court quashes bid by Alberta separatists for independence referendum

Alberta judge ruled provincial government must consult with First Nations before collecting signatures for a proposed referendum

A Canadian judge has quashed a petition for an independence referendum in Alberta after finding First Nations were not consulted, dealing a blow to separatist hopes in the country’s western province.

Justice Shaina Leonard of the Court of King’s Bench on Wednesday shut down the effort by a separatist group to hold a referendum on secession from Canada.