Albertans to vote in October on whether to hold binding referendum

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says a referendum on separation will be held on Oct. 19, but not on actually leaving Canada.

Instead, Albertans will vote on whether to start the process of making the results of a future referendum binding.

The question on the referendum ballot will be: “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?”

That will be the 10th question on the ballot, the other questions have been announced previously and will be about immigration policy and concerns with the constitution.

The premier made the announcement Thursday night in a televised address.

Smith says silencing hundreds of thousands of Albertans would be anti-democratic, while adding she will vote to remain in Canada.

The premier of Alberta says she agrees with many people’s past frustrations with the federal government but she believes the province is making progress to develop its natural resources with Prime Minister Mark Carney.

Though, she says she knows that is not enough for some.

“The vast majority of those advocating for separation love our province profoundly,” she says. “Many are also proud Canadians that have simply lost hope that their families can flourish within Canada. So instead of attacking these loyal Albertans, let’s work together to restore hope in their country.”

Separatist groups criticized the proposal as weak, while critics say Smith is trying to balance the support of the party hardliners and the broader public.

With files from The Canadian Press. 

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