Alberta rejects a move toward independence from Canada in a victory for
Carney
[October 20, 2026]
By ROB GILLIES
EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Voters in Canada’s oil-rich Alberta province
overwhelmingly backed remaining in Canada, with early referendum results
Tuesday delivering a boost to Prime Minister Mark Carney’s push for
national unity amid U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade war and
annexation threats.
With more than 1.5 million votes counted, 76% supported remaining in
Canada, while close to 24% backed beginning a process toward separation,
according to unofficial results from Elections Alberta.
The referendum wasn't a direct vote on independence. Approval would have
set Alberta on a path toward a future vote on separation from Canada.
“Albertans made a clear choice,” Carney said. “They chose unity, to
build together, and to take care of each other. Above all, Albertans
chose Canada.”
Carney said that the result would allow Canadians to move forward
together and accelerate efforts to diversify trade, develop major
infrastructure projects and make Canada a global energy powerhouse, with
Alberta at its center.
Alberta's separatists, however, saw a silver lining.
“We don’t have the final results. I think the numbers are going to
fluctuate, but it is fair to say that at least a quarter of Albertans
feel that Alberta needs to be treated better,” said Keith Wilson, a
leader of the separatist movement.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith welcomed the early results, saying they
showed widespread support for remaining in Canada.
“Albertans have voted for a stronger Alberta in a united Canada,” Smith
posted on social media.
Smith, who called the referendum amid pressure from separatists within
her governing United Conservative Party, or UCP, despite opposing
independence, said that she would address the province Tuesday evening
about the results and Alberta’s future.
“We are a solid country that’s united from coast to coast to coast,”
Thomas Lukaszuk, a former Alberta deputy premier who led the Forever
Canadian campaign against separation, told supporters.
Results were delayed after late openings forced more than 100 polling
stations to extend voting hours Monday.
Alberta, home to the world’s fourth-largest proven oil reserves, is
cowboy country and a conservative stronghold whose political culture has
long had more in common with the American West than much of Canada.
Resentment toward Canada's federal government in Ottawa runs deep, but
hasn't traditionally translated into widespread support for
independence.
Despite the proposal’s apparent failure, separatist leaders have said
they turned a fringe cause into a movement that won't disappear.
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Supporters wait for results at the pro-Canada watch party in
Edmonton, Alberta Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. (James Maclennan/The
Canadian Press via AP)
Carney earlier urged Albertans to deliver a decisive vote for unity.
“Vote like Canada’s future depends on it, because it does,” he told
a rally on Friday in Edmonton, where he grew up.
Separatist parties traditionally attracted only 1% or 2% of the
vote, former Premier Jason Kenney said. Anger over COVID-19
restrictions helped mobilize activists who later embraced the
separatist movement, he said.
Trump’s trade war and threats to make Canada the 51st U.S. state
have helped Carney rally support in Alberta, where Liberal prime
ministers have historically been unpopular.
At a separatist referendum night gathering at an Edmonton
restaurant, the crowd fell quiet as results rolled in.
“We’re not going anywhere,” said Jeff Rath of the Alberta Prosperity
Project. “We’ve dominated the conversation in the last year. We’ve
been educating Albertans on the benefits of independence, and we’re
going to continue moving forward.”
Rath had said he would be thrilled if 30% of Albertans voted to
begin the separation process. He wants Smith ousted as leader of her
governing United Conservative Party and said the party could
splinter, potentially creating a new pro-independence party.
Dustin Degenhardt, a Wainwright voter, said that Albertans have long
been mistreated by Canada's federal government.
“Alberta has essentially been treated as, you know, a colony,” he
said after voting Monday. “They want to take and take and take from
us, and not return anything.”
Dave Malka, 59, of Edmonton, criticized spending money on a
“referendum on a referendum” rather than healthcare.
With Trump threatening Canada, Malka said, “It seems to be happening
at the absolute worst time when we should be united; instead we’re
fighting among ourselves.”
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Ty ONeil contributed to this report from Wainwright.
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