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Alberta to hold referendum on future in Canada
Alberta will vote on 19 October on whether to remain in Canada or begin legal steps toward a binding independence referendum, Premier Danielle Smith announced on Thursday.
Carney praises Alberta's role in Canada
Former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney called Alberta an "essential" part of the country during a visit to Ottawa on Friday. Carney, now a special adviser to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, toured renovations at Parliament Hill and said Alberta's place in national renewal was central.
"We're renovating the country as we go, and Alberta being at the centre of that is essential," he told reporters.
Background to the vote
A growing separatist movement in the oil-rich province has gained momentum in recent years, driven by frustration over perceived neglect from federal decision-makers in Ottawa.
Opinion polls show about 25 % of Albertans support independence, while a majority oppose it. A pro-unity petition earlier this year gathered 400,000 signatures.
Legal hurdles and political fallout
A petition calling for a separation referendum collected over 300,000 signatures-enough to trigger a vote-but a court ruling earlier this month blocked the process. The judge found the Alberta government had failed to consult Indigenous groups before approving the petition.
Smith called the decision undemocratic and vowed to appeal, saying the legal battle could drag on for months or years.
"I will not have a legal mistake by a single judge silence the voices of hundreds of thousands of Albertans. Alberta's future will be decided by Albertans, not the courts."
Danielle Smith, Alberta Premier
Criticism and defence
The Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation condemned Smith's government as "undemocratic, authoritarian, and willing to bend to the whims of a loud, angry minority."
Naheed Nenshi, leader of Alberta's New Democratic Party, called the vote "needless" and accused Smith of using it to cling to power.
Mitch Sylvestre, a leader of the separatist movement, told the Globe and Mail he felt "duped" by the non-binding vote.
Smith defended her decision at a Friday news conference, saying the province could not delay the question indefinitely. She pledged to campaign for remaining in Canada through town halls over the summer.
"If you want to remain, as I do, vote to remain."
Danielle Smith
Brexit comparison raised
When asked if she feared becoming "Canada's David Cameron"-a reference to the UK prime minister who called the Brexit referendum-Smith said she was not afraid of Albertans' judgment.
"You have to be prepared to have the debate, and you have to be prepared to defend your position."
Danielle Smith
