Alberta voters choose to stay in Canada in referendum
Alberta voters rejected starting a path toward leaving Canada on Monday, unofficial results show. With more than 1 million votes counted, about 77% backed staying. Prime Minister Mark Carney said Albertans chose unity, but separatist leaders said their cause will go on.
Voters in Alberta overwhelmingly rejected a proposal to begin a process toward separating from Canada, according to unofficial results from Monday's provincial referendum.
With more than 1 million votes counted, about 77% supported remaining in Canada and 23% backed starting a path toward separation, AP reported, citing Elections Alberta. CBC News projected a "remain" win and reported 76.5% for remaining as of 12:30 a.m. local time. The vote was not a direct vote on independence. A yes would have set up a future vote on leaving Canada, AP reported.
"Albertans made a clear choice," Prime Minister Mark Carney said. "They chose unity, to build together, and to take care of each other. Above all, Albertans chose Canada."
Premier Danielle Smith, who opposes independence but put the question on the ballot amid pressure from separatists in her United Conservative Party, wrote on X that "Albertans have voted for a stronger Alberta in a united Canada." She said she would address the province Tuesday evening, AP and the BBC reported.
The independence question was one of 10 on the ballot. Five deal with immigration and four propose constitutional changes, and those were still being counted, CBC reported.
Separatist leaders did not concede the larger fight. "At least a quarter of Albertans feel that Alberta needs to be treated better," Keith Wilson said, AP reported. Jeffrey Rath said on the BBC World Service that "our movement isn't stopping" and, asked whether separatists would keep seeking votes, replied, "Why not?"
Thomas Lukaszuk, a former deputy premier who led the Forever Canadian campaign, said at a rally in Edmonton that Albertans "cannot go on fighting with each other," CBC reported.
The vote came as Carney pushes for national unity during President Donald Trump's trade war and annexation threats, AP reported. The BBC reported that separatist leaders plan to try to push Smith out of the UCP leadership.
What we know: About three in four counted votes favored staying in Canada, according to unofficial results.
What we don't: The final certified totals and the results of the nine other questions.
Where outlets agree CBC, AP and the BBC all report that unofficial results show a large majority of Albertans voted to remain in Canada.
Where they differ The cited reports agree on the key facts so far.