Alberta voters reject separation process 76 to 24 in preliminary count

Summary

Preliminary results from Elections Alberta showed 76.1% of voters choosing to remain in Canada, against 23.9% backing a separation process, with more than half of polls reported. The question did not ask Albertans to leave outright; it asked whether to remain or begin the legal process toward a binding separation referendum. Turnout was projected at 80 to 85%, compared with 60.5% at the last provincial election.

Prime Minister Mark Carney answered with a pipeline project rather than threats, and urged Albertans to vote no on the other nine questions. Premier Danielle Smith, who backed remaining in Canada, pledged no second independence referendum while she is premier. The video compares the result with Quebec's 1995 vote, when the no side won with about 50.6%, and argues the wider margin shows grievances can be fixed inside Canada.

Preliminary leads include proof of citizenship at 62.3% and Senate abolition at 53.5%, and CBC has projected none of the nine questions. A yes on the four constitutional questions would bind the provincial government to pursue change, but the Supreme Court ruled in 2014 that abolishing the Senate needs Parliament and all 10 provinces. Pacific Link, a 1 million barrel a day pipeline to a British Columbia deepwater port, would help Canada reach beyond the 93% of 2024 crude exports sent to one customer.

Key points

• Remain won 76.1% against 23.9% for a separation process, with more than half of polls reporting.
• Calgary-Bow voted 81.4% to remain, and Calgary-Klein voted 82.2%.
• Projected turnout of 80–85%, versus 60.5% in the last provincial election.
• Quebec 1995: the No side won with about 50.6%, fewer than 55,000 votes.
• Proof of citizenship to vote leads with 62.3%; Senate abolition leads 53.5%.
• In 2024, 93% of Canada's crude exports went to a single customer.

Questions answered