Unity Bus Coming to Medicine Hat August 1

Jul 29

*Oct 17 2025 Medicine Hat -Thomas Lucaszuk and the Unity Bus - Owl News*

The "Unity Bus," part of the Forever Canadian campaign led by former Deputy Premier Thomas Lukaszuk, will arrive in Medicine Hat on August 1 as part of a provincial tour promoting support for Canada ahead of the October 19 referendum.

Background

The tour follows the successful Forever Canadian citizen initiative petition, which asked: "Do you agree that Alberta should remain in Canada?" Elections Alberta verified 438,568 valid signatures . The petition operated under the previous citizen initiative rules, requiring 293,976 signatures representing 10% of registered voters .

By comparison, a separatist petition led by the Alberta Prosperity Project gathered 222,597 verified signatures under changed rules that lowered the threshold to 177,732 signatures .

Medicine Hat's Participation

Medicine Hat contributed a notable number of signatures to the Forever Canadian petition. According to canvasser Shelley Ewing, the city "punched above their weight" in signature collection relative to its population . At a signing event outside city hall in August 2025, canvassers collected an estimated 1,787 signatures in a single day.

The Unity Bus Tour

The Unity Bus is touring Alberta to distribute lawn signs and encourage Albertans to vote on the referendum question. Lukaszuk has said his goal is to show support for Canada and encourage voter turnout. The tour has made stops in communities including St. Paul, Bonnyville, Okotoks, Cochrane, and Diamond Valley.

Other stops

The October 19 Referendum

The referendum question as finalized asks:

"Should Alberta remain a province of Canada or should the Government of Alberta commence the legal process required under the Canadian Constitution to hold a binding provincial referendum on whether or not Alberta should separate from Canada?"

The government added this question after Lukaszuk's petition was submitted. Lukaszuk has criticized the added question, stating the petition was intended to have the legislature settle the issue without a referendum.

According to a Vote to Stay poll support for remaining in Canada is highest in Edmonton and Calgary (nearly 80%) and stands at 72% in southern Alberta.

The poll was conducted online and commissioned by the Vote to Stay organization, which is led by