In short
- With nearly 1.9 million votes counted, about 76% of Albertans backed remaining in Canada and 24% supported beginning a process toward separation, according to unofficial results from Elections Alberta.
- Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who grew up in Edmonton, said Albertans ‘chose Canada’ and that the result would accelerate efforts to diversify trade and develop major infrastructure.
- Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said ‘Albertans have voted for a stronger Alberta in a united Canada’.
- Delays at about 100 of the 1,400 polling stations in the province pushed results back by more than two hours.
- About 43% of eligible voters, or 1.3 million Albertans, had cast advance or mail-in ballots before Monday’s vote.
Voters in Alberta, Canada, rejected a proposal to begin the process of leaving the country, with about 76% backing remaining in Canada and 24% supporting separation, according to unofficial results from Elections Alberta with nearly 1.9 million votes counted. The referendum was held on Monday.
What was the referendum question?
The ballot asked Albertans whether to remain in Canada or begin a legal process that could lead to a second vote. It was one of 10 questions put to voters in the oil-rich province; the others covered immigration, healthcare, education and Alberta’s constitutional powers. Elections Alberta said counting for the remaining questions could take days.
How did Mark Carney react?
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who grew up in Edmonton, the provincial capital, said the outcome would let Canadians move forward together and cited efforts to diversify trade, develop major infrastructure projects and make Canada a global energy powerhouse with Alberta at its centre. “Albertans made a clear choice,” Carney said. “They chose unity, to build together, and to take care of each other. Above all, Albertans chose Canada.”
What did Alberta’s premier say?
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith wrote on social media that “Albertans have voted for a stronger Alberta in a united Canada”. Smith leads the United Conservative Party, whose popular support has fallen in recent months, including the loss of a one-time conservative stronghold in a by-election.
How did separatists respond?
Keith Wilson, a leader of the separatist movement, said the count was not final but that “at least a quarter of Albertans feel that Alberta needs to be treated better”. Jeffrey Rath told Global News he would push for a special general meeting of the United Conservative Party to remove Smith, whom he called an “avowed federalist”. Far-right organiser David Parker wrote on social media that “the result is bleak” and that independence “feels far away”.
Why did some voters object to the exercise?
Pollster David Coletto told the Guardian that residents saw the referendum as “a distraction away” from what they wanted their government to focus on. “There was almost a general sadness about the wasted energy spent on this rather than the more real threats they see, including the Trump administration,” he said. A radio show host posted that “someone owes Albertans $130m for this theatrical waste of taxpayers’ money”.
Was turnout high?
Data from Elections Alberta showed roughly 43% of eligible voters, or about 1.3 million Albertans, had cast ballots before Monday through advance voting and mail-in ballots, pointing to potentially higher turnout than the province’s last referendum in 2021. Delays at about 100 of the 1,400 polling stations pushed results back by more than two hours.
What did federal party leaders say before the vote?
Carney warned against voting simply to “send a message” to the federal government, saying “a vote against Canada is a dangerous bluff that will lead to years of deep uncertainty and lost opportunities for Albertans and Canadians”. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, whose parliamentary seat is in Alberta, told supporters that Albertans were not “quitters” and that “Canada is more than a government”.
Frequently asked questions
What was the result of Alberta’s referendum?
About 76% of counted votes backed remaining in Canada and 24% supported beginning a process toward separation, according to unofficial results from Elections Alberta with nearly 1.9 million votes counted.
Was the Alberta vote explicitly about independence?
No. The ballot asked whether to remain in Canada or begin a legal process that could lead to a second vote, and it was one of 10 questions put to Albertans on Monday.
Who is Alberta’s premier and what did she say?
Danielle Smith leads the United Conservative Party and said on social media that “Albertans have voted for a stronger Alberta in a united Canada”.
How many Albertans voted before election day?
Elections Alberta data showed roughly 43% of eligible voters, about 1.3 million people, had cast advance or mail-in ballots before Monday’s vote.
With reporting from The Guardian.
Stock image, not from the events described. City Skyline — Joe deSousa / Wikimedia Commons (CC0 1.0)
