No sooner was Alberta’s Chief Electoral Officer embroiled in a back and forth with Danielle Smith and her justice minister about his decision to ask the courts if a referendum proposed by a separatist group allied with the premier’s government is constitutional than Gordon McClure’s office announced it has approved a referendum question with a

"We need all Albertans to put their pride and love of Canada into writing now and put their signature on a petition," campaign leader Thomas Lukaszuk said in an interview with Postmedia

Elections Canada says its decision to switch to a write-in ballot for an Alberta by-election where Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is vying for a seat was made to maintain the accessibility and integrity of the vote, after more than 200 candidates entered the race in protest.