Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has announced a non-binding referendum on October 19, 2025, asking residents whether the province should remain in Canada or pursue a binding vote on separation. The move follows a petition by the separatist group Stay Free Alberta, which collected over 301,000 signatures, though polls suggest most Albertans oppose separation.
Prime Minister Mark Carney emphasized Alberta's importance to Canada, stating the province is essential to national unity amid U.S. tariffs and President Donald Trump's annexation talks. Carney, who took office in March 2025, has rolled back some of his predecessor Justin Trudeau's environmental policies, which separatists criticized for harming Alberta's oil and gas industry.
Smith, who supports Alberta remaining in Canada, criticized a court decision that blocked an earlier separation petition, arguing it silenced Albertans' democratic rights. The referendum question will ask whether Alberta should remain a province or begin the legal process for a binding separation vote. A counter-petition advocating for Alberta to stay in Canada has gathered over 404,000 signatures.
The referendum marks the first time a province other than Quebec has put separation to a public vote. Alberta, with the world's fourth-largest oil reserves, contributes significantly to Canada's economy but receives less federal funding than other provinces through the equalization process.