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Referendum

Southeast Alberta sees stronger support for separation during referendum than provincial average

Oct 21, 2026 | 8:13 AM

The desire to separate was stronger in southeast Alberta than the provincial average. However, the majority still voted to remain part of Canada.

All Alberta referendum polls are now reporting for the Cypress-Medicine Hat riding.

A total of 24,837 votes were cast in the riding on Question 10, which asked, “Should Alberta remain a province of Canada, or should the Government of Alberta commence the legal process required under the Canadian Constitution to hold a binding provincial referendum on whether or not Alberta should separate from Canada?”

Votes to remain in Canada totalled 16,921, with 7,916 voting to hold a second referendum on separation.

The 68 per cent vote to remain in confederation was slightly below the provincial average.

As of Wednesday morning, Alberta had 5,181 of 5,583 polls reporting, with about 75 per cent choosing to remain part of Canada.

Voting results were still trickling in for the Brooks-Medicine Hat riding, with 71 of 73 polls reported.

Support in Premier Danielle Smith’s riding to remain in Canada was even lower at 63 per cent.

The Taber-Warner riding had 69 of 70 polls reporting on Wednesday morning, and showed only about 54 per cent of voters choosing to remain part of Canada.

Results will continue to come in throughout the day and are available on Elections Alberta’s website.

Premier Smith said separation is off the table for as long as she remains premier.

In a televised address Tuesday, Smith said her government will continue challenging Ottawa over provincial rights, but through political negotiations and the courts rather than pursuing separation.

Smith urged Albertans to put aside their differences and move forward together.

Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomed the result, saying Albertans had chosen unity and continued co-operation.

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READ: Alberta’s Smith makes it clear separation now dead issue as long as she is premier (Oct. 21, 2026)

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READ: Premier Smith and NDP’s Nenshi address Albertans (Oct. 20, 2026)

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READ: Alberta Premier Danielle Smith to take questions for first time since separation vote (Oct. 21, 2026)

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READ: Early Alberta referendum results show support for Canada, spark calls for consultation (Oct. 20, 2026)

— With files from The Canadian Press