Alberta voters will decide Monday whether to start legal preparations for a binding separation referendum, a nonbinding ballot that could set the next step in a dispute over provincial powers and energy policy.
Question 10 offers voters a choice between keeping Alberta within Canada and directing the provincial government to launch the legal process for a later referendum. A majority for the second option would signal support for starting that process; the result would not require the government to act or make Alberta independent.
A separate citizen petition sought a direct independence question. The Court of King’s Bench later overturned the elections agency’s approval of that petition. Premier Danielle Smith said her government would put a distinct question to voters.
Elections Alberta reported 1,356,873 advance and special ballots by Oct. 18, or 43.1% of the province’s 3,148,343 eligible electors. The figures included 837,791 advance votes and 519,082 special ballots. Polling locations are scheduled to operate from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET Monday (15:00 UTC Oct. 19 to 02:00 UTC Oct. 20).
Alberta’s government says the province holds the world’s fourth-largest proven oil reserves, equal to 9% of global proven reserves, with about 99% of its reserves in oil sands. AFP reported that anger over Ottawa’s management of Alberta’s energy sector has helped drive separatist sentiment. Smith’s address also criticized federal involvement in provincial matters, including energy policy.
Smith has said she will vote for Alberta to remain in Canada and will respect the result. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney warned that uncertainty related to separation could mean lost opportunities. At a rally, he said, “A vote against Canada is a dangerous bluff.” Carney made an appeal for Alberta to remain in Canada ahead of the vote.
Unofficial totals are due within 48 hours of the final polling place closing. Elections Alberta has scheduled the official results announcement for noon ET Oct. 29 (16:00 UTC).
