Alberta separatist group says it has enough signatures to trigger referendum on leaving Canada

AP ^ | 05/04/2026 | AP

[DFG]

Alberta separatists said Monday they have formally submitted almost 302,000 signatures to try to trigger a referendum on the province leaving Canada.

The group needed 178,000 signatures to force the province to consider such a vote.

The question of separation could go on a provincewide ballot as early as October, as Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has said she would move forward if enough names are gathered and verified. Smith has said she personally does not support the oil-rich province leaving Canada.

A “yes” vote would not trigger independence automatically. Negotiations with the federal government would have to take place and Daniel Béland, a political science professor at McGill University in Montreal, said some Indigenous groups who are already using the courts to prevent an independence referendum would use venues including the courts to stop independence from happening.

Mitch Sylvestre, the head of Stay Free Alberta, arrived at the Elections Alberta office in Edmonton on Monday leading a convoy of seven trucks to deliver the names.

“This day is historic in Alberta history,” Sylvestre said. “It’s the first step to the next step — we’ve gotten by Round 3 and now we’re in the Stanley Cup final.”

He said most papers were handled five times to verify the signatures.

More than 300 supporters gathered, waving the provincial flag and chanting “Alberta strong.”

However, the petition could face another hurdle this week as an Edmonton, Alberta, judge is expected to rule on a court challenge launched by a group of Alberta First Nations who say Alberta separation would violate treaty rights.

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TOPICS: Canada
KEYWORDS: alberta; canada; secession

[Track9]

It seems the welfare users don’t want independence.

[eastexsteve]

Yeah, the TEXIT group had the same thing. But, the communist who was running our State House of Representatives wouldn’t bring it to the floor for a vote.

[PGalt]

GOOD. “When in the course of human events...”

[butlerweave]

Carney doesn’t care he’s trying to make a deal with the EU to join them but Canada can’t join because it’s not a European country just like Greenland ,LOL

[butlerweave]

First Nations want all the free money from Canadian taxpayers to keep coming ,LOL

[sauropod]

Bkmk

[Beowulf9]

If Alberta becomes it’s own country do they have an army if invaders were to try to take it over? Who would be the military protector of Alberta?

I wonder who would be their Prime Minister?

[gymbeau]

Personally, I’d like us to become the 51st state.

[Miami Rebel]

It’s a dead letter.

The media hype has died down and the odds are stacked against it ever passing.

[RightWingNut]

Let’s see. Interested in a trade ?

California even ?

Massachusetts ? I may need to throw in a future draft pick or an additional player to be named later.

[dowcaet]

I suspect if they do secede and decide to become an independent country the first order of business they’ll do is sign a defense pact with the US.

[bobbo666]

It will never happen. Carney will simply occupy the area with the troops hired from the CCP. It won’t be Canadians shooting Canadians.

[adorno]

Democrats and some republicans, when they switch parties, sa that, they didn’t leave the party; the party left them.

Alberta could use a similar argument: We didn’t leave Canada, Canada left us. Canada no longer represents the wishes/will of the people in Alberta.

[gymbeau]

“Let’s see. Interested in a trade ?

California even ?“

Don’t care. I just want to be part of the USA. An independent Alberta would be a good start.

[gibsonguy]

The yes side is in the 20’s. Alberta is not fed up enough yet. Ottawa will keep their foot on Alberta’s throat.

[canuck_conservative]

Alberta could use a similar argument: We didn’t leave Canada, Canada left us. Canada no longer represents the wishes/will of the people in Alberta

That's EXACTLY what it is!!

Canadian "justice system" now has 2 tracks, one for ordinary white people, another for the poor, abused minorities ... NOT what we were promised in 1982

And now FedGov also wants to get rid of the "notwithstanding clause" in the Canadian Constitution (an opt-out clause for Provinces), the only reason the Provinces signed on to Trudeau Sr.'s Constitution in 1982 in the first place

Canada is a leftist mess ... Canada is literally giving Alberta reasons to leave!!

Saw a guy driving around Calgary the other day with a big Alberta flag in his pickup, promoting separation ... it's probably about 30-40% support right now, but that could go up as the anti-Alberta rhetoric cranks up

It's kind of important that the initial vote be high, so that Alberta has a strong bargaining position with Canada, otherwise FedGov will just dismiss it as a "crank minority" and refuse to deal seriously

[Dixie Yooper]

Whatever it takes to reach Alaska because we really should be connected.

[Savage Beast]

Maybe they will join the USA.

[Midwesterner53]

Hey Alberta, come on down!