Alberta will vote in the fall on whether to start legal process for separating from Canada

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced that Albertans will vote this fall on whether the province should start the legal process that could eventually result in a binding referendum on separation from Canada.

Smith said the October referendum ballot would include a question asking voters whether Alberta should remain part of Canada or authorize the government to pursue the constitutional steps necessary to hold a future binding vote on separation.

The proposed question would ask: “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?”

In a pre-recorded address released on Thursday evening, Smith emphasized that a vote in favor of the measure would not automatically trigger separation proceedings or declare independence. 

A vote in favor would authorize the provincial government to begin exploring the constitutional and legal framework required to hold a formal binding referendum at a later stage, she said.