Alberta’s early referendum count favored remaining in Canada, indicating voters opposed legal steps toward a future binding separation vote, though the nonbinding ballot could not itself change the province’s status.
The Associated Press reported that Elections Alberta’s unofficial tally showed 76% support for staying in Canada and almost 24% for starting a process toward another referendum. The count had passed 1.5 million votes on that question.
The ballot asked voters to choose between keeping Alberta in Canada and having the provincial government begin legal steps toward a later, binding vote on separation. The tally updates EconoTimes’ earlier report on the delayed returns: some polling places opened late, so Elections Alberta extended voting hours at affected sites and delayed publication until all locations had closed.
Before Election Day, 1,356,873 preliminary advance and special ballots had been cast, equal to 43.1% of eligible voters, Elections Alberta said. The ballot also offered nine questions on immigration, provincial services, voting requirements and constitutional powers.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Tuesday that Albertans had chosen unity and connected the result to Canada’s trade, infrastructure and energy plans. Elections Alberta is counting ballots by hand and has scheduled the official results announcement for Oct. 29.
