# Alberta votes to stay in Canada, separatists vow to fight on

> Albertans reject independence in a landslide, but separatist leaders say their campaign is far from over.
- Title: Alberta votes to stay in Canada, separatists vow to fight on
- Summary: Albertans reject independence in a landslide, but separatist leaders say their campaign is far from over. Alberta voters rejected separation from Canada by…
- Keywords: alberta, canada, separatism, referendum, danielle smith, mark carney, jeffrey rath, national unity, news, world, votes, stay
- Source: BBC News — https://bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cxr5yqqd7nlpo
- Published: 2026-10-20T09:33:14.057+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: alberta, canada, separatism, referendum, danielle smith, mark carney, jeffrey rath, national unity, news, world
## Alberta votes to stay in Canada
Albertans have voted overwhelmingly to remain part of Canada, with more than two-thirds choosing to reject a referendum on independence, according to Elections Alberta.
## Smith called the vote on separatist petition
Alberta's leader Danielle Smith called the vote after a grassroots group gathered about three hundred thousand signatures on a petition asking for a binding referendum on separation.
## Smith opposed separatism but welcomed result
Smith herself opposed the separatist push but said the public will for a vote was undeniable. She welcomed the results, saying Albertans have voted for a stronger Alberta in a united Canada.

> Albertans have voted for a stronger Alberta in a united Canada.
## Separatists cite environmental policy concerns
Many separatists argued that the oil-rich province's economic growth had been stifled by the environmental policies of Canada's central government in Ottawa.
## Carney calls for unity amid trade tensions
Prime Minister Mark Carney hailed the result as a clear choice and called for Canada to present a united front in the face of external pressures, including an ongoing trade war with the United States.
## Separatist leader vows to continue fight
Separatist leader Jeffrey Rath, a lawyer based in Calgary, struck a defiant tone, vowing that our movement isn't stopping and we're continuing to move forward.

> our movement isn't stopping and we're continuing to move forward
## Separatists plan to challenge Smith's leadership
Separatist leaders have indicated they plan to push Smith out of power within her United Conservative Party, hoping to install a leader more sympathetic to their cause.Debate around independence could dominate Alberta politics for years.
## Key takeaway

Alberta voters rejected separation from Canada by more than two-thirds, but separatist leaders pledged to continue their push for independence.