by John Bolton
«I watched Monday’s court proceedings in Alberta as the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation attempted to stop the independence petition campaign before its May 2nd deadline.
What unfolded in the courtroom was a barrage of unrelated issues that, in my view, only served to muddy the waters.
Topics like racism, the “great replacement theory,” and election interference were all raised as part of the argument against the petition. Many observers felt these points had little to do with the legal question at hand.
The lawyers defending the petition on Tuesday didn’t deliver the strongest performance, at least from my perspective watching the hearing. But the real test comes Thursday, when the legal team for Stay Free Alberta presents its case on why the petition campaign should continue.
Based on what happened Monday, I’m not feeling overly optimistic — but Thursday will be the decisive moment.»