Members of the media may directly contact the following uOttawa academic experts:
André Lecours (English and French)
Full Professor, School of Political Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences.
Professor Lecours' research explores Quebec and Canadian politics. Professor Lecours will be a guest speaker at the upcoming uOttawa event: 'When Provincial Becomes National: The Alberta Referendum and Quebec's Election'.
“There are several important items to watch out for that could influence things from the court decision around the Indigenous challenge to the petition and, ultimately, what will the Alberta government decide about the referendum on independence.”
Robert Falcon-Ouellette (English and French)
Associate Professor, Faculty of Education
A native of Calgary, Professor Falcon-Ouellette's research touches on Indigenous issues and governance, civic engagement and the political process and Indigenous representation.
“If Alberta hopes to develop natural resources, build pipelines, and strengthen its economy, then relationships with First Nations matter. Whatever the outcome of the vote, Danielle Smith’s government must work with Indigenous communities and demonstrate reciprocity, relationship, and respect. Respect not only for those who support separation or greater autonomy, but for all Albertans. Governments cannot claim to defend democracy while only listening to voices that agree with them.”
Elizabeth Dubois (English and French)
Associate Professor, School of Political Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, and University Research Chair in Politics, Communication and Technology.
[email protected] (French requests for print media only)
Dr. Elizabeth Dubois’ work examines political uses of digital media, including media manipulation, citizen engagement, and Artificial Intelligence. She can speak about:
- Social media and use of social media influencers in election campaigns.
- Generative AI.
- Disinformation and astroturfing.
- Innovative get out the vote campaigns online.
Michael Wernick (English and French)
Jarislowsky Chair in Public Sector Management, Faculty of Social Sciences.
Professor Wernick's expertise touces on:
- Canadian politics.
- Public sector management.
- Governance and policymaking.
- Indigenous Affairs.
"Unlike Quebec there is no propulsive force of language, religion or ethnicity for Albertans with this vote. The political ecosystem is different and tactics will have to be updated by pro-federalist groups. The other questions on the ballot includes constitutional and non-constitutional bargaining items that would ultimately obtain greater autonomy for Alberta within a united Canada. These other questions are presumably intended to strengthen the hand of Premier Danielle Smith."
Sarah E. Sharma (English only)
Assistant Professor, School of Political Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences.
Professor Sharma's research examines how power, politics and economics shape environmental policy, the geopolitics of global energy transitions, environmental governance, and renewable energy infrastructure.
“In the run up to the Alberta referendum, we should keep two thoughts in mind: First, Western alienation is real, culturally significant and must be attended to with respect and care. Second, expanding fossil fuel infrastructure is not the right solution to buttress the relationship between the federation of Canada and Alberta, along economic and environmental lines and in terms of Indigenous reconciliation.
This referendum makes it clear that we must find an improved economical, environmental, and socially sustainable approach to managing longstanding tensions over natural resource management.”
Errol Mendes (English only)
Full Professor, Faculty of Law - Common Law Section.
Professor Mendes`research includes constitutional and human rights law, corporate law, global governance, and public international law.
"Even if the vote is overwhelmingly in favour of staying in Canada, I think that there will be remaining issues that will continue to roil the province and Canada. These include the disregard for the views of the First Nations, as regards to the duty to consult while they have legal and constitutional rights to much of the territory in the province. The separatists will never be satisfied with a vote against them, and will attempt to get a second chance at it just like the separatists in Quebec did."
Seána Glennon (English only)
Postdoctoral Fellow at the Public Law Centre, Faculty of Law - Common Law Section.
Dr. Seána Glennon is an expert on referendums, citizen participation and deliberative democracy, with particular expertise in how citizens’ assemblies and other deliberative processes can strengthen public engagement with complex constitutional questions. Her research draws on comparative experience, including Ireland’s constitutional reform process.
“When divisive constitutional questions arise, is asking the public directly always the democratic thing to do? Comparative experience suggests referendums are not inherently democratic or undemocratic. The deeper question is not simply whether referendums are democratic per se, but under what conditions they can meaningfully express democratic will.”