Danielle Smith announced Thursday that Albertans will vote this fall on whether the province should remain part of Canada, adding a separation-related question to the province’s Oct. 19 referendum ballot.
The referendum question asks: “Should Alberta remain a province of Canada, or should the Government of Alberta commence the legal process required under the Canadian Constitution to hold a binding provincial referendum on whether or not Alberta should separate from Canada?”
Smith said the new wording was designed to address both federalist and separatist viewpoints while complying with a recent Court of King’s Bench ruling that struck down a previous independence petition backed by the group Stay Free Alberta.
Earlier this month, the court ruled the separatist petition unconstitutional after determining organizers failed to consult First Nations communities.
During a televised address, Smith emphasized that she personally supports Alberta remaining in Canada and said her government shares that position.
“I support Alberta remaining in Canada. That is how I would vote on separation in a provincial referendum,” Smith said.
However, the premier criticized the court ruling, arguing it interfered with the democratic rights of Albertans who supported the original petition.
Smith explained that a “yes” vote in the upcoming referendum would not trigger Alberta’s separation from Canada, but instead authorize the government to begin legal steps toward a future binding referendum on independence.
She also said the move could avoid years of court appeals and provide clarity on public opinion surrounding the issue.
The announcement came just hours after a legislative review committee approved the Forever Canadian petition, which gathered more than 400,000 signatures supporting Alberta remaining in Canada.
The committee, dominated by members of the governing United Conservative Party, voted in favor of moving forward with the referendum question despite objections from Opposition members.
Jason Nixon said a premature statement released by the UCP caucus about the referendum recommendation had been issued in error.
Opposition members from the Alberta New Democratic Party pushed for consultations with First Nations before any referendum proceeds, arguing the government still has a legal duty to consult Indigenous communities.
The proposed amendment was ultimately rejected by committee members from the governing party.
Opposition MLA Rakhi Pancholi also raised concerns about a recent data breach involving the personal information of more than three million Albertans, arguing the province should delay any referendum until investigations are complete.
Meanwhile, Forever Canadian petition organizer Thomas Lukaszuk accused Smith of trying to balance pressure from separatists while protecting her political future.
With the addition of the separation question, Albertans are now expected to vote on 10 referendum questions this fall, covering issues related to immigration, constitutional powers and provincial jurisdiction.