Alberta voters reject move toward separation in referendum

Alberta voters rejected a proposal to begin a legal process toward a future separation referendum, according to early unofficial results from Elections Alberta. With more than 1.5 million votes counted, about 76% backed remaining in Canada and close to 24% backed beginning the process.

The separation question was one of ten on the ballot. Nine others covered immigration, public services, voting requirements and constitutional arrangements, and were also being counted. Premier Danielle Smith said those questions helped give her more autonomy from Ottawa.

Carney welcomes result

The result boosts Prime Minister Mark Carney's push for national unity as Canada faces US tariff and annexation threats. Carney said in a statement that Albertans made a "clear choice" and "Above all, Albertans chose Canada". He said the outcome would let Canadians accelerate trade diversification, major infrastructure projects and energy development, with Alberta at the centre.

Recent polls had shown around 70% of Albertans wanted to remain in Canada, a level the early count exceeded. Al Jazeera later reported about 1.8 million votes counted, a higher partial total as counting continued. Elections Alberta said results released during the count would remain subject to verification until official publication on 29 October. The 19 October ballot was not a direct vote on independence; approval would have set Alberta on a path toward a future vote on separation.

Results were delayed after late openings forced more than 100 polling stations to extend voting hours on Monday. All ballots were to be counted by hand. More than 1.35 million Albertans, or 43% of eligible voters, cast advance or special ballots.

Smith welcomes early result

Smith, who opposed independence but called the referendum, said voters had backed "a stronger Alberta in a united Canada". Smith thanked voters for the result, the BBC reported. She told CBC before the vote that she would not hold an independence referendum if Albertans voted it down, as long as she is premier. She said she would address the province about the results and Alberta's future.

The result could test her leadership of the United Conservative Party, which she has led since 2022. Jeffrey Rath of the Alberta Prosperity Project said she had "lost the confidence of the (party) base".

Separatists vow to continue

Separatist leaders said their campaign will continue. Rath said his push for an independent Alberta will "absolutely" continue. He had said he would be thrilled with 30% backing separation, against the roughly 24% the option received, and wants Smith ousted as UCP leader. Keith Wilson, a leader of the separatist movement, said at least a quarter of Albertans feel the province needs to be treated better.

Separatist parties traditionally attracted only 1% or 2% of the vote, former premier Jason Kenney said. Alberta holds the world's fourth-largest proven oil reserves. The movement drew attention abroad: US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called Alberta a "natural partner" for the United States, and Elon Musk posted on X that Alberta "should separate". Rath held meetings at the US State Department, according to AFP.

Carney had urged Albertans to reject separation. At a rally in Edmonton on Friday, he said: "Vote like Canada's future depends on it, because it does." Thomas Lukaszuk, who led the Forever Canadian campaign, said: "I don't want to see us doing another referendum like this ever again".