The province of Alberta is holding a nonbinding referendum to gauge public support for a binding referendum on separation from Canada. The separatist movement entered the mainstream of Canadian politics in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent antigovernment protests. Proponents of Alberta independence claim that the Ottawa government has long ignored the province’s priorities, and that Alberta would benefit economically by separating from Canada. Opponents cited parallels to Brexit, noting that the promised benefits of Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union had never materialized, and that the British economy had, in fact, suffered as a result. The referendum, held on October 19, 2026, was a massive defeat for the pro-separatist camp, with the overwhelming majority of Alberta voters choosing to remain in Canada.
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies.
Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style