A committee of Alberta's legislature has approved a petition for a referendum to determine whether the province should remain part of Canada. This decision was influenced by the United Conservative Party (UCP), which holds a majority on the committee. The vote followed an early release of a statement by the UCP recommending the referendum, which was described as a mistake. During the meeting, New Democratic Party (NDP) members sought to address the implications of a recent court ruling that deemed a similar petition unconstitutional due to lack of consultation with First Nations. Opposition MLA Court Ellingson emphasized the necessity of consulting Indigenous communities before proceeding with the referendum. The committee ultimately rejected this amendment. Additionally, concerns were raised regarding a significant data breach that exposed the private information of over three million Albertans, with NDP members arguing that the referendum should not proceed until the investigation is complete. Premier Danielle Smith criticized the court's ruling and indicated that her government is exploring legal options, including the potential use of the notwithstanding clause. The situation remains fluid as the cabinet reviews the petition.