Alberta Plans Referendum on Separation for 2026

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has announced that a referendum on the province’s separation from Canada could take place in 2026 if citizens gather enough signatures through a petition, though she personally does not support secession. Smith emphasized that the frustrations of Albertans with federal Liberal policies, which they claim have damaged the province's oil and gas sector and undermined economic prospects, must be respected and considered democratically. Recent legislation introduced by her government would lower the signature threshold required for triggering a referendum, making such a vote more attainable. Smith has also committed to new initiatives aimed at negotiating Alberta’s interests, including securing a guaranteed export corridor for oil and gas, and has criticized a range of federal regulations as infringing on provincial jurisdiction. While advocating for greater provincial autonomy, Smith has stated her preference for a sovereign Alberta within a united Canada, but acknowledges that separatist sentiment is not limited to extremists. Other provincial leaders, such as UCP MLA Jason Stephan, have publicly called for a referendum on independence, underscoring the growing tensions between Alberta and Ottawa.