Albertans back remaining in Canada in historic referendum vote
Posted October 19, 2026 11:42 pm.
Last Updated October 20, 2026 1:59 am.
Albertans have voted to remain in Canada, with unofficial referendum results showing a decisive majority rejecting a future binding vote on independence.
Question 10 on Monday’s referendum ballot asked voters whether Alberta should remain in Canada or move toward a second, binding referendum on leaving Confederation. As of 11:30 p.m., unofficial results showed the “remain in Canada” option on track to receive more than 75 per cent of the vote.
The separation question was added to the ballot earlier this year by Premier Danielle Smith after petition campaigns collected hundreds of thousands of signatures both supporting and opposing Alberta’s place in Canada. Smith has previously said she voted to remain in the country.
In a statement posted late Monday, Smith said she was “very pleased” by the result.
“Albertans have voted for a stronger Alberta in a united Canada,” she said, adding she would address the province on Tuesday evening.
The referendum campaign attracted national attention in its final days, with Prime Minister Mark Carney travelling to Alberta last week to take part in pro-Canada rallies. Carney called Monday’s vote a “great result for Canada” and said he spoke with Smith on Tuesday morning.
Supporters of Alberta independence argued separation would free the province from federal taxation and regulation, unlock economic growth and give Albertans greater control over their affairs. Opponents warned it would create economic uncertainty, leave Alberta responsible for services currently provided by Ottawa and saddle the province with significant financial obligations.
Speaking to CityNews on referendum day, lawyer and Alberta independence advocate Jeff Rath said some voters viewed the referendum as an opportunity to send a message to Ottawa.
“For those people that want to send a message, they can send a message,” Rath said.
Rath also said separatist supporters would continue their efforts regardless of the outcome and suggested support for independence above 40 per cent would warrant Smith’s resignation. As of late Monday, support for leaving Canada was below 25 per cent.
Thomas Lukaszuk, founder of the Forever Canadian campaign, said many Albertans questioned why the referendum was held at all.
“The vast majority of Albertans never asked for this referendum,” Lukaszuk said, adding the process could ultimately cost taxpayers more than $300 million.
Despite opposing the vote, Lukaszuk said the campaign prompted discussion about Canadian identity.
“No matter what the outcome of this tonight, we will have a lot of work ahead of us to heal the wounds that have been caused,” he said.
Elections Alberta said it would prioritize counting ballots on Question 10 before turning to the remaining nine referendum questions, which focus on constitutional and immigration issues.
More than 1.3 million Albertans cast ballots through advance polls and mail-in voting before referendum day.
With files from The Canadian Press
