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By Jack Farrell, The Canadian Press
Provincial Politics

Elections Alberta investigating illegal use, obtaining of provincial voter list

Apr 30, 2026 | 10:10 AM

An Edmonton judge has granted an injunction ordering a separatist group to remove from its website a database of private information — including names and addresses — of close to three million Alberta voters.

The judge granted the injunction this morning at the request of Elections Alberta, which is investigating how the separatist group obtained the list.

Elections Alberta told the judge the list was legally given to the pro-independence Republican Party of Alberta.

However, Elections Alberta says it believes that same list has now ended up in the hands of a pro-separation group called the Centurion Project and that the private information can be accessed on its website.

The project is led by longtime political organizer David Parker, who has said the goal is to recruit and identify those who support the idea of Alberta separating from Canada ahead of a potential fall referendum.

Parker did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but on social media he posted a picture of a phone book with the caption, “Look everyone! I found names and addresses in a nefarious document called a phone book! Call the cops!”

Speaking with The Canadian Press, the Republican Party’s leader claimed they hadn’t yet gotten official communication on the matter from Elections Alberta.

Cameron Davies shared with CP that his party has given notice to the Centurion Project that any data or information they may have obtained, particularly if it came from his party, is to remain private.

We were proactive on that before the injunction today,” Davies said. “And we’ll be fully complying with Elections Alberta.

Alberta RCMP said late Thursday that it can confirm correspondence from an individual associated to the Alberta NDP raising concerns about potential misuse of the provincial voter list maintained by Elections Alberta.

“The RCMP has initiated an investigation and is working with other law enforcement partners in the province to determine if any offence(s) have been committed respecting the dissemination or handling of the information contained in the voter list.”

This report is an amalgamation of reporting by The Canadian Press to reflect the updated information.

 From Elections Alberta:

Timelines and actions

We wish to update Albertans on timelines and steps that have been taken to resolve this issue.

On April 27, 2026, credible information was obtained suggesting the Centurion Project may be in possession of the List of Electors provided to a registered political party that was a legitimate recipient of the list. Inquiries into the validity of this information began immediately.

On April 28, 2026, the Chief Electoral Officer wrote to individuals associated with the Centurion Project to advise them that if they were accessing a List of Electors, they must immediately cease and desist.

On April 29, 2026, representatives from Elections Alberta, supported by members of the Edmonton Police Service, attended a meeting of the Centurion Project Ltd. being held in Edmonton, to ensure the cease and desist letter was received.

Event organizers were once again advised, and a copy of this directive was personally served to a representative of the Centurion Project, to immediately cease and desist accessing any information contained in the List of Electors. 

On the morning of April 30, 2026, representatives from Elections Alberta and legal counsel attended Court of Kings Bench in Edmonton and applied for an ex parte emergent injunction to prohibit any further access to or use of the List of Electors. The Justice granted this injunction and the Centurion Project Ltd. is further prohibited from engaging in these extremely serious activities.

The injunction has been served. The Order directs the Centurion Project Ltd. and the Republican Party of Alberta to, within four days of the Order:

  • Identify every person or entity the Centurion Project Ltd. and the Republican Party of Alberta have provided a copy of the List of Electors, or a portion of the List of Electors, and
  • Identify every person or entity the Centurion Project Ltd. and the Republican Party of Alberta have permitted to access the information from the List of Electors or portion of the List of Electors, and
  • Provide to the Chief Electoral Officer all contact information the Respondents have for these people or entities.

What happens now

We have confirmed the portion of the Centurion Project website providing access to the List of Electors is no longer available.

Elections Alberta is actively working with other appropriate agencies and organizations, including law enforcement and the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta, to determine the scale and scope of this matter and additional actions required.

Ensuring your privacy is protected

We know Albertans are concerned about the use of their information, and we share that concern. The following resources provide good cautionary steps you can take to protect yourself and your information:

  1. Be aware and vigilant. Watch for unexpected mail or missing statements, emails, or phone calls such as debt collection calls for unknown accounts.
  2. Be skeptical of texts and emails claiming to help reclaim your information. Do not click links and go only to the official websites of entities you know. Legitimate organizations will not ask for sensitive information via email or text.
  3. Consider setting up information monitoring through your internet web browser, antivirus protection, and financial institution.
  4. If you think you are a victim of identity theft, you should make a report to the police immediately.

Additional information and resources are available from the Federal Privacy Commissioner:

Possible penalties – revised

A person who contravenes section 163(d) of the Election Act is guilty of an offence and liable to an administrative penalty of not more than $100,000 or, if convicted by a Court, to imprisonment for a term of not more than one year or to both a fine and imprisonment.

For more information and background, please see Alleged Inappropriate Distribution of List of Electors.

Again, the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer considers this matter with the utmost seriousness and additional actions will follow. 

by Jack Farrell, The Canadian Press