# Alberta votes on independence from Canada

> Alberta holds binding referendum on separation from Canada.
- Title: Alberta votes on independence from Canada · BBC News
- Summary: 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…
- Keywords: alberta, canada, separation, referendum, danielle smith, alberta prosperity project, mitch sylvestre, jeffrey rath, mark carney, pierre poilievre, news, world
- Source: BBC News — https://bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c809jg1gj9yo
- Published: 2026-05-22T22:11:10.246+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: alberta, canada, separation, referendum, danielle smith, alberta prosperity project, mitch sylvestre, jeffrey rath, mark carney, pierre poilievre, news, world
## 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'.
## Key takeaway

Alberta will vote on 19 October to remain in Canada or start legal process for binding separation referendum.