Alberta votes on referendum over potential secession from Canada

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 19 Oct, 22:32 · Archive

Residents of the Canadian province of Alberta are voting in a referendum on whether to remain part of Canada or begin a process towards independence.

Residents of Alberta are voting on whether to remain part of Canada or begin a process towards independence. The province, with around 5 million people and 3.1 million eligible voters, is holding the referendum after an independence movement succeeded in persuading Premier Danielle Smith to call it. Voters are deciding on a total of 10 questions, with the secession question to be counted first, with results potentially available as early as Tuesday.

Polls show a large majority of around 70 per cent in favour of staying part of Canada, while roughly 20 per cent supported secession, with the remainder undecided. Premier Smith, Prime Minister Mark Carney and both of Canada's major political parties have repeatedly spoken out against secession. Support for the independence movement has come from the administration of US President Donald Trump.

Alberta has long been home to some of Canada's most conservative voters, and the independence movement has existed for years on cultural and economic grounds. Some oil industry representatives feel restricted by environmental regulations, while many protesters who opposed coronavirus restrictions and vaccine mandates later joined the independence movement. Although the movement has represented a minority of Albertans, it succeeded in persuading Smith to call the referendum, despite her consistently advocating for remaining part of Canada.

How it is being reported

• Alberta holds referendum on breakaway from CanadaPeople living in the Canadian province of Alberta are heading to the polls to vote in a referendum on whether to remain part of Canada.Perth Now · 19 Oct, 22:05
• Alberta holds referendum on breakaway from CanadaPeople living in the Canadian province of Alberta are heading to the polls to vote in a referendum on whether to remain part of Canada.The West Australian · 19 Oct, 22:05

In this story: Alberta · Canada · Danielle Smith · Mark Carney · Donald Trump · Calgary · Edmonton

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