Albertans are voting on Monday on whether to move towards a binding referendum on separating from Canada. The ballot does not itself decide whether the province leaves the country.
Premier Danielle Smith called the vote after a pro-separation group gathered about 300,000 petition signatures. A separate petition opposing separation drew more than 400,000 signatures. Smith opposes separation but says residents should be able to decide whether to pursue the process; she has said a binding referendum could follow as soon as 2027 if voters back that step.
The vote is going ahead despite a court ruling that blocked the pro-separation petition over a failure to consult First Nations whose land could be affected. First Nations groups have criticised Smith’s decision to proceed.
Supporters of separation say federal environmental policies have held back the oil-rich province. Prime Minister Mark Carney is among those calling for Alberta to remain in Canada. Polling suggests most Albertans favour staying, though the debate has proved divisive.
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