From BBC News · · 1m 50s
Alberta votes on independence from Canada
Alberta holds binding referendum on separation from Canada.
In brief
Alberta holds binding referendum on separation from Canada. Alberta will vote on 19 October to remain in Canada or start legal process for binding separation referendum. Originally reported by BBC News.
Alberta independence referendum
Alberta will vote on 19 October whether to remain in Canada or start legal process for binding separation referendum.
Premier Danielle Smith's stance
Premier Danielle Smith supports unified Canada but will not let a single judge silence Albertans' voices.
Separatist movement
Mitch Sylvestre and Jeffrey Rath lead Alberta's separatist movement seeking independence from Canada.
Separatist demands
Separatists want Alberta to have more autonomy from Ottawa and believe they share more with the US than Canada.
Petition and court ruling
300,000 people signed a petition for independence but a court blocked it due to lack of indigenous consultation.
Separate petitions
400,000 Albertans signed an anti-separation petition called Forever Canadian.
Referendum question
Albertans will choose to remain in Canada or start legal process for binding separation referendum.
Other referendum questions
Nine other questions focus on immigration and constitutional autonomy from Ottawa.
Polling results
70% of Albertans want to stay in Canada, 20% would start separation process, 7% undecided.
What happens next
If Albertans vote to start separation process, binding referendum could happen as early as 2027.
Political reactions
Prime Minister Mark Carney says Alberta is essential to Canada's energy future, while opposition leader Pierre Poilievre supports unity.
Separatist threats
Jeffrey Rath threatens to organize vote against Danielle Smith's leadership if referendum question is not changed.
First Nations criticism
First Nations in Alberta call Smith's decision to hold referendum despite court ruling 'undemocratic' and 'authoritarian'.
At a glance
Alberta will vote on 19 October to remain in Canada or start legal process for binding separation referendum.
