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From town halls to the ballot: Alberta’s 120-day independence countdown
Rebel News ^ | January 23, 2026 | Sheila Gunn Reid

Posted on 01/23/2026 10:19:08 AM PST by E. Pluribus Unum

Nadine Wellwood, an advocate for independence, explains what's really going on at town hall events across Alberta, where advocates are seeking to collect 177,000 signatures in 120 days.

Alberta’s independence town halls are serious, organized, and everywhere. And Nadine Wellwood — author of Alberta Rising — has been at the centre of many of them.

Wellwood explains what’s actually happening at independence town halls across the province, where organizers are pursuing a very specific and legally binding goal: 177,000 signatures collected within 120 days. That’s the threshold required under Alberta law to trigger a referendum on separation from Confederation.

Wellwood breaks down why these events are filling rooms from Medicine Hat to Grande Prairie, and why the message is resonating with Albertans who are tired of Ottawa taking more, delivering less, and pretending Western alienation is imaginary.

It’s about timelines, legal mechanics, and what happens if the signature target is reached. Wellwood also dismantles the myths pushed by legacy media that insist this movement is “fringe” or unserious.

Transcript Summary

The transcript is a Rebel News segment hosted by Sheila Gunn Reid, featuring an interview with Alberta author Nadine Wellwood about the ongoing petition drive for an independence referendum.

Key points include:



TOPICS: Canada; Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS: alberta
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1 posted on 01/23/2026 10:19:08 AM PST by E. Pluribus Unum
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Aw man.

Going to town halls and being activist. That never solved anything!


2 posted on 01/23/2026 10:20:34 AM PST by ProgressingAmerica (The U.S. Constitution is not a suicide pact. Progressivism is a suicide pact.)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

I’d be shocked if Canada allows it. Some Judge born in India and migrated to Canada will shoot down somehow.

Alberta is an oil and i believe lumber cash cow...that support the other provinces


3 posted on 01/23/2026 10:20:48 AM PST by suasponte137
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Alberta, come on down! Welcome to our Union if that is your choice.


4 posted on 01/23/2026 10:24:14 AM PST by Midwesterner53
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To: ProgressingAmerica

You’re right! They need some of our Minneapolis “activists” to show them how to really get things done.


5 posted on 01/23/2026 10:26:49 AM PST by ProtectOurFreedom
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To: suasponte137

The break up of Canada isn’t farfetched. Quebec is also in play for independence.


6 posted on 01/23/2026 10:30:30 AM PST by meatloaf
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Alberta Bound

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gV1rtBnCeiw


7 posted on 01/23/2026 10:30:38 AM PST by Ezekiel (🆘️ "Come fly with US". 🔴 Ingenuity -- because the Son of David begins with MARS ♂️, aka every man)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

I’m partial to Alberta as quite a few of my mom’s ancestors settled there. Grandma was born in Red Deer. Her uncle was “Mr. Red Deer” at the beginning of the 20th century. Another uncle settled in Lethbridge and launched the first radio station there. Grandma’s dad was a grain buyer in Alberta for many years before moving on to BC and building up a fruit growing and packing business in Creston, BC.

How about we swap Minnesota for Alberta? Everybody would be a lot happier.


8 posted on 01/23/2026 10:30:38 AM PST by ProtectOurFreedom
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To: Ezekiel

So that means Calgary and Edmonton will have NFL teams.

But Edmonton will have to change the name back to the Eskimoes.


9 posted on 01/23/2026 10:31:35 AM PST by dfwgator ("I am Charlie Kirk!")
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To: suasponte137

“I’d be shocked if Canada allows it.”

*************

They won’t. They’ll call it insurrection and break out the Democrat’s playbook to punish the movement and prevent Alberta from leaving.

And to your point, what is Canada without resource rich Alberta?


10 posted on 01/23/2026 10:33:09 AM PST by Starboard
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To: meatloaf

Canada keeps Quebec in line with insane bribery.

The way the economy works is that taxes from Alberta and British Columbia pay for welfare in Quebec and the Maritimes.

Quebec would go broke immediately if they became independent.


11 posted on 01/23/2026 10:35:22 AM PST by cgbg ("Your identity is how power treats you.")
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

its a pipedream


12 posted on 01/23/2026 10:36:24 AM PST by Gasshog (the amazing disappearing tag)
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To: Starboard

Agreed.

I would expect election fraud to stop independence.

If that failed just do the leftist thing—break all the rules and just say “no”.


13 posted on 01/23/2026 10:36:39 AM PST by cgbg ("Your identity is how power treats you.")
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To: ProgressingAmerica
Aw man. Going to town halls and being activist. That never solved anything!

The activists and town halls are collecting signatures for a ballot initiative for secession from Canada.

But if you think that won't solve anything, then that settles it.

14 posted on 01/23/2026 10:37:15 AM PST by E. Pluribus Unum ( Klaatu barada nikto.)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

If they succeed they need a Bill of Rights, especially the First Amendment, in their new constituent.


15 posted on 01/23/2026 10:38:20 AM PST by CedarDave (Having proudly supported Free Republic for over 25 years!)
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To: cgbg

That’s certainly another possible option on the table that is probably under active consideration, but they will have to look beyond Venezuela to help them out. ;)


16 posted on 01/23/2026 10:42:02 AM PST by Starboard
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To: CedarDave

If they succeed they need a Bill of Rights...

***********

And something to ensure the integrity and security of their voting system. Hopefully a free Alberta would see this as essential and a “lesson learned” from their neighbor’s recent experiences.


17 posted on 01/23/2026 10:45:58 AM PST by Starboard
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To: Starboard
And something to ensure the integrity and security of their voting system. Hopefully a free Alberta would see this as essential and a “lesson learned” from their neighbor’s recent experiences.

Until we can get beyond the Senate filibuster, I don't see it happening. If we lose either house in November, it's dead.

18 posted on 01/23/2026 11:00:45 AM PST by CedarDave (Having proudly supported Free Republic for over 25 years!)
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To: Starboard

Good point.


19 posted on 01/23/2026 11:02:16 AM PST by cgbg ("Your identity is how power treats you.")
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Alberta is the economic engine of Canada and, unlike the rest of Canada, Albertans actually like the US and are welcoming to Americans. It would not be a bad idea of Trump limited his 51st state talk to conservative Alberta who could provide 2 additional Republican senators. and left the rest of the dead Canadian carcass to their Liberal Party, I personally think he should incentivize them to go independent by promising to lift tariffs on them and the energy exports to us if they do go independent with the possible view of joining the US later as our 51sr state, North Texas.


20 posted on 01/23/2026 11:04:55 AM PST by chuckee
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