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In a significant political development, separatists in Alberta have announced they have secured enough signatures to potentially initiate a vote on the province’s departure from Canada. The group behind this movement, Stay Free Alberta, revealed on Monday that they have gathered nearly 302,000 signatures, surpassing the required threshold of 178,000 to prompt consideration of such a referendum.
According to Stay Free Alberta, the question of Alberta’s secession could appear on a province-wide ballot as soon as October. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has indicated her willingness to proceed with the referendum, contingent upon the verification of the collected signatures.
“This is a landmark moment in Alberta’s history,” declared Mitch Sylvestre, the leader of Stay Free Alberta, as he arrived at the Elections Alberta office in Edmonton. He led a convoy of seven trucks to deliver the gathered signatures, likening the achievement to reaching the “Stanley Cup final” after clearing several hurdles.
Although Premier Smith has expressed her opposition to Alberta exiting Canada, she has been critical of past federal Liberal administrations. She has accused them of implementing policies that hinder Alberta’s oil production and export capabilities, resulting in substantial financial losses for the province. Smith has emphasized her desire for the federal government to refrain from intervening in provincial matters.
Supporters were seen transporting boxes filled with signatures to the Elections Alberta office in Edmonton on May 4, 2026, marking a pivotal step in the pursuit of a separation referendum. (Photo by Jason Franson/The Canadian Press)
More than 300 supporters gathered in Edmonton on Monday, waving the provincial flag and chanting “Alberta strong.”
A “yes” vote would not trigger independence automatically, as negotiations with the federal government would have to take place.
Daniel Béland, a political science professor at McGill University in Montreal, told the AP that despite the independence effort, liberal Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney “is indeed popular, even in Alberta.”
Mitch Sylvestre, the head of Stay Free Alberta, holds boxes of signatures before submitting them for a separation referendum to Elections Alberta in Edmonton on May 4, 2026. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press)
“The push for independence by some Albertans predates his prime ministership, and it’s related to economic, fiscal, and political grievances about the seemingly unfair treatment of Alberta by the federal government,” Béland said. “These concerns increased during the Justin Trudeau years, but they have peaked and even declined since he left office.”
Béland added that some Indigenous groups that are already using the courts to prevent an independence referendum would use venues including the courts to stop independence from happening.
Mitch Sylvestre submits signatures for a separation referendum to Elections Alberta in Edmonton on May 4, 2026, as supporters fly flags behind him. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press)
The petition for a referendum could face a hurdle this week as an Edmonton judge is expected to rule on a court challenge by Alberta First Nations, who say separation would violate treaty rights.