The latest on Alberta’s vote on whether to have binding separation referendum

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has announced there will be a separation question on an Oct. 19 referendum. Albertans will be asked if the province should stay in Canada or if they want a future binding referendum on separation.

Here are the latest developments (all times are MT):

11:30 a.m.

Alberta Opposition NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi has told a crowd in Calgary that Premier Danielle Smith says she supports federalism, but won’t lift a finger to keep the country together.

Nenshi says Smith has expressed empathy and sympathy for separatists but not for the rest of Albertans.

He says Smith’s referendum in October will be economically destabilizing and socially divisive, and he pledges to spend the summer defending Confederation.

11:00 a.m.

Federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says Albertans need to be given the same powers as those in Quebec, so they can feel that they’re in charge of their own destiny in Canada.

Speaking at a news conference in Surrey, B.C., Poilievre says he’ll continue to fight for a united Canada.

He says his party will be reaching out to Albertans in every corner of the province so they understand that they can have a better future in the country.

10:45 a.m.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says putting the question of separation to a vote is something he’d never do but that he’s not in Smith’s shoes.

Ford says he thinks Smith is trying to maintain support for her leadership of the United Conservative Party.

He says any vote on separation in Alberta would never win and, if it does, it would lead to disaster.

10:30 a.m.

Rob Anderson, the chief of staff for Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, says many wanted to see her directly put a binding separation question on the ballot this fall.

But he says it just isn’t possible.

Anderson says in a social media post that he thinks a binding question would have been struck down by the courts within weeks, because of the ongoing legal challenge involving a separatist petition and First Nations

He says holding a referendum on maybe having a future referendum still gives Albertans a chance to have their say and decide whether it’s a path they want to go down.

9:00 a.m.

Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas says Alberta calling a vote on whether to have a vote on separation shows a ridiculous lack of provincial leadership.

He says separation uncertainty is costing the city jobs.

He says Alberta should be focused on the real work of building homes, improving public safety, fixing infrastructure, growing the economy and making life better.

7:30 a.m.

Prime Minister Mark Carney briefly addressed the thorny issue of Alberta’s separatist movement in the form of a metaphor this morning — likening Canada to the Parliament buildings: currently under renovation.

Carney, while on a construction site tour of the Library of Parliament, didn’t directly mention Alberta’s plan to hold a vote on whether to have a binding referendum on separation.

He listed contributions made by Albertans to the country and said Canada is currently working the “spirit of co-operative federalism,” with Alberta at the centre of that work.


—

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 22, 2026.

The Canadian Press