Albertans are voting today on whether to proceed toward a future referendum on separation from Canada, as well as whether to seek greater provincial powers and constitutional reforms from Ottawa.
Preliminary numbers from Elections Alberta indicate more than 1.3 million citizens have already voted. The official count from Elections Alberta shows 1,356,873 total votes were recorded between Oct. 13 and Oct. 17 through advance and special ballots.
This means as many as 1,791,470 Albertans are expected to head to the polls today to vote in the referendum, which asks 10 questions about the province’s future.
The question on separation asks whether residents want to begin the legal process required to hold a second, binding referendum on independence.
Separation advocates argue that federal energy and environmental policies have constrained Alberta’s oil and gas industry, while also objecting to the province’s contributions to federal revenues, immigration policies, and what they see as Ottawa’s excessive influence over provincial affairs. They say that independence would give Alberta greater control over its natural resources, revenues and policy decision.
Those who oppose secession, including Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, have called for unity, saying relations with the Liberal government have begun to improve under the leadership of Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Smith cited several examples while speaking on Oct. 16 at the Canada Strong and Free Conference in Calgary. She pointed to Ottawa’s decision to drop the oil and gas emissions cap, advancement on the proposed Pacific Link oil pipeline from Alberta to B.C., and increased input on judicial appointments.
Polls have suggested that the majority of Albertans would vote to remain in Canada.
An Ipsos poll published on Oct. 17 found that 70 percent of those surveyed said Alberta should stay in Canada, while 23 percent said the province should begin proceedings for a binding vote. The remaining 7 percent of respondents said they were undecided or were not planning to vote.
The separation question was added to the referendum earlier this year by Smith in response to a citizen-led initiative by the group Stay Free Alberta, which collected more than 300,000 signatures calling for a binding referendum on independence.
The Court of King’s Bench quashed the original citizen petition, ruling that Elections Alberta and the province failed in their constitutional duty to consult First Nations whose treaty rights would be affected. Both the group and the provincial government appealed the decision.
Smith announced a government-crafted referendum question rather than waiting out the stalled citizen petition in response to the ruling.
Rather than an immediate vote on separation, Question 10 asks voters whether Alberta should hold such a vote in the future. The question reads, “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?”
The other questions listed on the referendum concern immigration reform and constitutional issues.
Smith has said she personally supports remaining in Canada and will not proceed with a binding separation vote if the majority opts to stay.
Carney and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre joined Smith in Alberta ahead of the vote to push for national unity.
Carney told those in attendance at an Oct. 15 Calgary rally that they should not only reject separation, but that they should vote against the referendum’s other nine proposals.
He said the referendum is being held at the “worst possible time” alluding to tensions with the United States and urged Albertans to say “no to the nine” additional referendum questions.
Smith addressed Carney’s comments at an event in Red Deer with Carney the following day, and asked Albertans to endorse the nine proposals for more control and rules around immigration and for a mandate to pursue constitutional changes. She said she needs that mandate to negotiate a better deal with the federal government.
Poilievre told Calgarians during an Oct. 16 speech that he understands disillusionment with the state of affairs in Canada but that seperation isn’t the answer.
“Quitting is the easy way out—and Albertans are not quitters,” Poilievre said. “We don’t just take our ball and go home. We don’t walk away. We stand and fight for what we believe in, and we reflect upon all that we have.”
Elections Alberta has said the referendum outcomes will be published within 48 hours of the polls closing. Official results will be released Oct. 29.
The Canadian Press contributed to this report.
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