EDMONTON, Alberta — Voters in Alberta overwhelmingly chose to remain part of Canada in Monday’s referendum, rejecting a move to begin the legal process toward a binding vote on independence, according to unofficial results from Elections Alberta reported by NPR, BBC News and Al Jazeera.
With around 1.8 million votes counted, about 76% supported remaining in Canada and 24% backed beginning a process that could lead to separation, Al Jazeera reported. The vote was not a direct referendum on independence, but approval would have set the oil-rich province on a path toward a future vote on leaving Canada.
Results were delayed after late openings forced more than 100 polling stations to extend voting hours on Monday, NPR reported.
“Albertans made a clear choice,” Prime Minister Mark Carney said. “They chose unity, to build together, and to take care of each other. Above all, Albertans chose Canada.” Carney said the result would let Canadians accelerate efforts to diversify trade, develop major infrastructure projects and make Canada a global energy powerhouse, with Alberta at its center. He posted his statement on X:
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who opposed separation but called the vote after a grassroots petition gathered about 300,000 signatures, welcomed the early results. “Albertans have voted for a stronger Alberta in a united Canada,” she posted on social media. Smith had said before the vote that if voters chose to remain, a referendum on separation would not be held, at least not while she was in power, the BBC reported. She said she would address the province Tuesday evening.
Separatist leaders said their campaign was not over. Jeffrey Rath, a Calgary lawyer and a leader of the Alberta Prosperity Project, told the BBC the vote was a “first step” and that “our movement isn’t stopping and we’re continuing to move forward.” Keith Wilson, another separatist leader, said “it is fair to say that at least a quarter of Albertans feel that Alberta needs to be treated better,” NPR reported. Separatists have indicated they plan to try to push Smith out as leader of the United Conservative Party, the BBC said.
Alberta’s independence push had drawn interest from allies of President Donald Trump, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who called Alberta Washington’s “natural partner,” Al Jazeera reported. Trump’s trade war and threats to make Canada the 51st state helped Carney rally support in a province where Liberal prime ministers have historically been unpopular, according to NPR.
Nine other questions were on Monday’s ballot, five on immigration and four on the Canadian constitution, and are still being tallied. Quebec held two unsuccessful independence referendums, in 1980 and 1995.
Sources: NPR, BBC News, Al Jazeera
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