NATIONAL PULSE – Most Albertans would vote no to separation process
56% of Albertans say Premier Danielle Smith has handled the issue poorly
May 25, 2026 – A long-simmering “what if” has become a reality in Alberta, with federalists and separatists now on a five-month clock to convince Albertans to either smother the emerging flames of a sovereignty movement or “start a legal process” for a binding referendum to “separate from Canada”.
Those are the options laid out in a 37-word question that the UCP government led by Premier Danielle Smith will put to Albertans in an Oct. 19 referendum.
New polling data from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute gauging Albertans’ opinions leads to three key conclusions. First, in answering the official October question, most Albertans would choose not to proceed with starting the process of a binding separation vote (61% versus 36%). Second, half (51%) find the question confusing. And third, that if they were to answer a simpler hypothetical question – whether to leave or stay – support for the federalist side increases (67% stay, 31% leave).
ArmchairMayor.ca 
So little of this is surprising.
All Albertans I have talked to about it, literally scoff at the idea.
They also all appreciate that what this is, is Smith playing both sides of all voter bases, not wanting to disparage even a few hard core fringe separatists, as the next Alberta election is less than a year and a half away.
She is clearly the kind of politician that will do anything she has to, to win … even if that means running a referendum on an issue that doesn’t have a hope of winning so she can say “I tried, vote for me”.
Carneys response to the latest news was spot on;
“In these separation issues, it is often advanced that ‘vote for this and it’s a free option’ or ‘Vote for this and we will strengthen our hand in future negotiation’. That is a very dangerous bluff,”
“I saw first-hand what happened in the United Kingdom when the view was vote for this, it will be a soft exit and then we’ll negotiate, etc. They are still, 10 years later, trying to undo what people didn’t think they were voting for”.
Watch out for the high promises and one liners of Alberta separatists, who are obfuscating the truth, and stretching it to encapsulate ideas of more general happiness. Guard against populism referendii.
Thankfully, more Albertans know that their position is simply stronger as a member of Canada … by a very long shot.
LikeLike