OTTAWA — Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says her United Conservative Party government will hold a referendum in October to ask Albertans if they want to remain in Canada, or start the process toward a binding separation referendum.
“It's time to have a vote, understand the will of Albertans on this subject, and move on,” Smith said in a televised address on Thursday evening. The vote will take place Oct. 19.
The announcement marks an escalation of separatist tensions in the oil-rich and staunchly conservative province, a flashpoint that will test Prime Minister Mark Carney’s leadership as Ottawa is forced to respond to a growing national unity crisis.
For months, Smith been under fire from separatist groups demanding a vote on Alberta leaving Canada, a push largely driven by Stay Free Alberta, a grassroots movement that claims to have collected more than 300,000 signatures in support of a separation referendum.
Despite polls showing most Albertans want to remain in Canada, the issue has become increasingly difficult for Smith to contain. The premier has been forced to publicly defend national unity while navigating concerns that some members of her own caucus sympathize with separatist sentiment.
“The position of the UCP caucus and UCP government is to build a strong and sovereign Alberta within the United Canada,” Smith said.
“I will therefore be voting for Alberta to remain in Canada, while continuing to work each and every day to restore and strengthen provincial rights under the Canadian Constitution.”
The separatist movement suffered a setback last week when an Alberta court halted Stay Free Alberta’s petition campaign, ruling organizers have failed to meet their legal duty to consult First Nations on their treaty rights. The decision is being appealed.
Smith was facing pressure from inside and outside her caucus to hold a referendum on Alberta separatism. With the pro-separatist petition stalled in court, Smith’s government is bringing forth its own referendum.
“I, as premier, will not have a legal mistake by a single judge silence the voices of hundreds of thousands of Albertans,” Smith said. “That's not the Alberta way.”
The question on the October ballot will be: “Should Alberta remain a province of Canada, or should the government of Alberta commence the legal process required under the Canadian Constitution to hold a binding provincial referendum on whether or not Alberta should separate from Canada?”
With roughly 300,000 signatures gathered in support of a separation referendum and another 400,000 backing a united Canada referendum, Smith’s government argues public engagement on both sides warrants a provincewide vote. Alberta has a population of approximately five million people.
The premier recently worked with Carney on plans to expand Alberta oil production and energy infrastructure. Smith has blamed “10 years of bad Liberal policy” under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for fueling Western alienation, saying his federal climate policies and energy regulations have damaged Alberta’s economy.
She has also argued that existing federal gun bans and immigration levels continue to inflame separatist frustration in Alberta.
President of the King's Privy Council for Canada Dominic LeBlanc said his Liberal government took note of Smith’s address.
“Canada’s government strongly believes that the interests of Albertans and all Canadians are best served when we work together,” he said in a statement.
LeBlanc pointed to Ottawa and Alberta working on energy projects that he says show that Canada works — and delivers results. It’s a similar message Carney touted in Calgary last week. The prime minister did not immediately respond to Smith’s announcement
The brewing separatist movement also threatens to drive away the investment Carney and Smith are trying to attract to the province.
“Businesses across Canada, including Alberta, need predictability to invest, create jobs, attract talent, and build major projects,” the Canadian Chamber of Commerce said in a statement.
It said “prolonged uncertainty around constitutional or political separation brings real risks for investor confidence, economic growth, and Canada’s global competitiveness at exactly the wrong time.”
Albertans are scheduled to vote on Oct. 19 on nine other referendum questions put forward by Smith’s government dealing with immigration reform and constitutional issues.
The immigration questions ask voters whether temporary residents should face restrictions or waiting periods before accessing social programs, whether they should pay fees for public services like health care and schools, and whether proof of citizenship should be required to vote in provincial elections.
The constitutional questions reflect a broader push for greater provincial autonomy from Ottawa. Alberta argues the federal government has increasingly intruded into areas traditionally controlled by provinces, such as health care, education and social services.
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