Albertans rejected holding a second referendum to separate as voters overwhelmingly chose to stay in Canada, CTV News projects.
In a historic vote that saw the oil-rich province put the question of separation to the public, roughly 75 per cent of voters thought Alberta should stay in Canada, while just under 25 per cent voted to pursue a binding referendum on leaving, according to preliminary results just after 8 a.m. MT.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says as long as she is premier, she will not call a second referendum on the question of separation.
The premier put the matter to rest in a televised update at 6:45 p.m. MT while urging separatists to give Ottawa another chance.
The remaining nine questions, focused largely on immigration and constitutional changes, are also being counted right now and some have close races.
The emphatic result to remain culminates a year-long campaign from pro-Canada and separatist groups.
The Alberta government, on the other hand, campaigned for yes votes on the first nine questions, and Smith also advocated for the province to remain in Canada.
Elections Alberta was expected to announce results for Question 10 by 4 a.m. MT, but not all polls are reporting results yet.
Results for the first nine questions will be announced Wednesday morning.
Here’s what happened on Oct. 20, 2026:
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Smith addresses Albertans
In a provincial address Tuesday evening, Premier Danielle Smith said she will respect Albertans’ vote after the majority opted to stay in Canada.
“I want to make it clear tonight that for as long as I am premier, I will honour this mandate from Albertans and will not be holding another referendum on this issue,” said Smith. “It is time to move forward together as a strong and free Alberta within a united Canada.”
Smith addressed separatists and those who supported Option 2, saying their voices have been heard.
“I acknowledge the legitimate frustrations you felt, most especially during the Justin Trudeau Liberal-NDP coalition years,” she said. “Make no mistake, you, along with your fellow Albertans who voted to remain, have had a tremendous effect on helping alter the direction of Canada for the better.”
Smith emphasized the province’s energy agreement with Ottawa and plans for a pipeline as steps forward in building stronger ties with Alberta and the feds.
“This is a monumental change that Albertans helped bring about. We made arguments, we defended our province, we challenged policies we believe were wrong, and Canada listened.”
“I want to make it clear tonight that for as long as I am premier, I will honour this mandate from Albertans and will not be holding another referendum on this issue,” said Smith. “It is time to move forward together as a strong and free Alberta within a united Canada.”
Smith addressed separatists and those who supported Option 2, saying their voices have been heard.
“I acknowledge the legitimate frustrations you felt, most especially during the Justin Trudeau Liberal-NDP coalition years,” she said. “Make no mistake, you, along with your fellow Albertans who voted to remain, have had a tremendous effect on helping alter the direction of Canada for the better.”
Smith emphasized the province’s energy agreement with Ottawa and plans for a pipeline as steps forward in building stronger ties with Alberta and the feds.
“This is a monumental change that Albertans helped bring about. We made arguments, we defended our province, we challenged policies we believe were wrong, and Canada listened.”
Damien C. Kurek: Alberta chose Canada. Now Canada needs to listen
There are many of us who have spent our lives fighting for this province that lies in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains while also being loyal to and loving Canada. With the polls closed and most of the ballots counted, there is relief in this result. But it would be a mistake for politicians and pundits to spin this outcome as an endorsement of the status quo.
Speaking bluntly about what happened at the ballot box, the narrative that the pro-Canada vote was carried by progressives is not the full story. While left-of-centre voters played a role, the reality is the future of Alberta in Canada was carried across the finish line by conservative Albertans.
Aspects of immigration can't be ignored: Mulcair
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that the approximate 500,000 people in Alberta who voted to explore independence are a reminder for the prime minister that national unity is a full-time job.
He told CTV News Channel on Tuesday that the referendum question on immigration shows that Alberta, and eventually other provinces, could one day choose who can and can’t settle in provinces, like in Quebec with the Canada–Quebec Accord.
He said consulting with voters gives them more control, but he cautions that there are aspects of immigration that need to be respected, like the treatment of refugees and asylum seekers.
“There are international obligations that we can't simply say, ‘oh, we're gonna pass it over, and we're not gonna have those rules respected anymore of international law,’” he said. “But there is something there that the federal government can do to make sure that that burden is shared relatively equally amongst the provinces, and that it is there to help pay for the services, for the many people who are in that situation.”
He told CTV News Channel on Tuesday that the referendum question on immigration shows that Alberta, and eventually other provinces, could one day choose who can and can’t settle in provinces, like in Quebec with the Canada–Quebec Accord.
He said consulting with voters gives them more control, but he cautions that there are aspects of immigration that need to be respected, like the treatment of refugees and asylum seekers.
“There are international obligations that we can't simply say, ‘oh, we're gonna pass it over, and we're not gonna have those rules respected anymore of international law,’” he said. “But there is something there that the federal government can do to make sure that that burden is shared relatively equally amongst the provinces, and that it is there to help pay for the services, for the many people who are in that situation.”
‘Violation of the Canadian Constitution’
Alberta’s referendum gave voters opportunities to pursue sovereigntist polices but a constitutional law expert said they’re likely already dead in the water.
“My fear is that some of (the referendum’s questions) may actually be in violation of the Canadian Constitution,” Errol Mendes told CTV News Channel Tuesday.
He said four of the questions “focused on asking for amendments to the Constitution, some which are impossible without substantial consent of other provinces.”
He highlighted the proposed abolishment of the Senate, question seven, which would only be possible with the consent of the Senate itself.
The five other questions that weren’t about separation could violate discrimination laws, Mendes said.
“Anyone who is in Canada has the (right) to equality,” he said.
The referendum questions could be used to further push the case for Alberta's independence, Mendes warned.
The province could "use the fact that some of these nine questions will never be realized ... as an example of wanting further successionist attempts," he said.
Alberta referendum mail-in special ballots are seen in Calgary, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
‘High single-digits’: Jason Kenney
Alberta separatists make up only a small fraction of the province’s population, but will continue to form a vocal minority, a former premier said Tuesday.
Legitimate separatists are only about six to eight per cent of Albertans, Jason Kenney told CTV News’ Power Play’s Vassy Kapelos on Tuesday.
Enough active support has kept separation sentiment alive for about 45 years, since former prime minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau’s National Energy Program was introduced, Kenney said.
But separatists “who really want to create an independent republic of Alberta [are] in the high single digits,” he explained.
Instead, Kenney suggested wider support for the movement came from people who "wanted to send a message."
"I think that the movement that (separatist leader Jeffrey Rath) speaks for is about six to eight per cent of the population.”
Kenney said that when the separatist movement has to compete against other political issues, it often fails to generate traction.
"On an election ballot, it’s a one- or two-per-cent movement."
Poilievre supports Smith's immigration asks
Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre said – unlike the Liberal leader – he supports Albertans who want to reduce immigration and restrict who can access education, health care and social services.
Last week, Prime Minister Mark Carney urged Albertans to say "no" to the nine questions on immigration and the constitution.
"It does appear that Albertans have rejected Mark Carney's direction on this," Poilievre told media in Calgary Tuesday morning.
"That means cutting off the deluxe benefits that the federal government is imposing on provinces that go to people who have never paid into the system and are not even Canadian permanent residents."
Voting results as of 3:15 p.m. MT showed Albertans voted mostly yes to the first four referendum questions on immigration, with support ranging between 54 to 57 per cent.
While a majority of Albertans also voted "yes" to three of the four constitutional questions, Poilievre would not say if the Conservatives would work with Alberta on those concerns if the party was in power.
"We're going to wait and see because I think some of those questions are still a little bit closer. We'll wait to see how the full account proceeds," he said.
Last week, Prime Minister Mark Carney urged Albertans to say "no" to the nine questions on immigration and the constitution.
"It does appear that Albertans have rejected Mark Carney's direction on this," Poilievre told media in Calgary Tuesday morning.
"That means cutting off the deluxe benefits that the federal government is imposing on provinces that go to people who have never paid into the system and are not even Canadian permanent residents."
Voting results as of 3:15 p.m. MT showed Albertans voted mostly yes to the first four referendum questions on immigration, with support ranging between 54 to 57 per cent.
While a majority of Albertans also voted "yes" to three of the four constitutional questions, Poilievre would not say if the Conservatives would work with Alberta on those concerns if the party was in power.
"We're going to wait and see because I think some of those questions are still a little bit closer. We'll wait to see how the full account proceeds," he said.
Ballot questions raise Albertans’ expectations: Lawyer
An expert in constitutional law says Alberta wouldn’t be able to implement the things it was asking on its referendum ballot, like abolishing the federal senate or controlling immigration.
Robert J. Hawkes, a partner at Alberta-based JSS Barristers, told CTV News Channel on Tuesday that to amend the Constitution, 50 per cent of the Canadian population from at least seven provinces would have to agree to it.
The Supreme Court of Canada has said that in order to abolish the Senate, it would require unanimous consent from all 10 provinces, the House of Commons, and the Senate itself.
Hawkes said by putting the questions on the ballot, the province presented a list of issues that people care about, which raised their expectations.
“People now expect that some of these things can occur when, in fact, this is really just step one of a multistage process,” he said. “The results of which, to put it mildly, are uncertain.”
APP doubtful of referendum results
Mitch Sylvestre of the separatist Alberta Prosperity Project (APP) says he doesn't have "much faith" in the referendum results.
"I had reservations about it at the beginning … and based on the conversations that I've had with scrutineers and people that were at the polls about all the nonsense that went on, I still have some concerns," Sylvestre told media Tuesday.
"The day [the UCP] said they could have a wide-open mail-in ballot situation, I said, 'The integrity of the election is gone.'"
Sylvestre said the APP will challenge the results "where it can," but stopped short of making an accusation of fraud.
"I can't say that without knowing for sure. All I'm saying is that it doesn't look good from where I'm standing, and I never thought that it would," he said.
Mitch Sylvestre the leader and CEO of the Alberta Prosperity Project laughs with supporters as they await referendum results in Edmonton, Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Ulan
Union fears outcome of 9 questions
While praising the majority of voters who chose Option 1, Alberta's largest union fears the results for the other nine questions could be used to create harmful policies.
“Forcing one group of people to pay out-of-pocket for health care is the first step to making us all pay out-of-pocket for health care. On top of that, suggesting some people should be excluded from public services is incredibly cruel and un-Canadian,” said Alberta Union of Provincial Employees Sandra Azocar, adding that many union members, especially those working in continuing care, are immigrants.
“Imagine going to work in a continuing care facility, providing care for seniors, but not being allowed access to the same health care you provide. The very idea is shameful.”
Unofficial results on the referendum’s five questions on immigration appear to be supported by the majority of Albertans.
Forever Canadian not going anywhere: Lukaszuk
Thomas Lukaszuk said his Forever Canadian campaign will be ready to reengage if needed.
“We will be watching how things unfold in Alberta for the next few months,” said Lukaszuk. “We also hope to play a constructive role in developing a dialogue between separatists and the rest of Canada.”
After months of travelling throughout the province in the “Unity Bus,” Lukaszuk and his crew of campaigners spoke to thousands of separatists, many of whom are regular Albertans, he said.
“I think we have the responsibility to engage them and enter into constructive dialogue and see what issues can be fixed that they are identifying,” said Lukaszuk.
But connecting with separatist spokespeople such as Jeffrey Rath, is difficult.
“They are agitators, and they’re not looking for commonalities,” said Lukaszuk. “But my focus is working with Albertans who simply right now chose to vote for separatism.
“I would like to have an opportunity to show them that working with the rest of Canada and with our prime minister can actually work to benefit us all.”
‘We never had to have this referendum’
Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi says Premier Danielle Smith will likely take the credit for Monday’s referendum results.
“She's going to say that she saved Canada, that she's been given a mandate for a whole new set of fights with Ottawa on five different issues, and it will continue this constitutional quagmire,” he told CTV News Channel on Tuesday. “That's not really what happened at all.”
Nenshi stressed that Smith put Canadians at risk by calling the vote in the first place.
“We never had to have this referendum,” he said. “We never had to spend nearly $200 million of taxpayer money on it and have all the emotional drama and division that it's had. And now our job is to pick it up and figure out what a new Alberta looks like.”
The exact cost of the referendum is not yet known.
“She's going to say that she saved Canada, that she's been given a mandate for a whole new set of fights with Ottawa on five different issues, and it will continue this constitutional quagmire,” he told CTV News Channel on Tuesday. “That's not really what happened at all.”
Nenshi stressed that Smith put Canadians at risk by calling the vote in the first place.
“We never had to have this referendum,” he said. “We never had to spend nearly $200 million of taxpayer money on it and have all the emotional drama and division that it's had. And now our job is to pick it up and figure out what a new Alberta looks like.”
The exact cost of the referendum is not yet known.
Smith lost support on 9: political scientist
Support for the first nine referendum questions lessened leading up to the referendum, says political scientist Jared Wesley.
"The premier's mandate on those questions has shrunk considerably since we started polling at the beginning of the referendum campaign," Wesley told CTV News Edmonton Tuesday.
Wesley said 'yes' margins on the first nine questions appear smaller than past polling predicted and that a "sizable proportion of Albertans appear to have rejected those ballots altogether."
With 85 per cent of polls reporting as of 12:30 p.m. MT, ballots marked for non-separation questions ranged from 1.4 million to just over 984,500 – compared to almost 1.9 million ballots for Question 10.
While eight of the nine questions were all leaning toward yes, many of the races were close.
Wesley said Danielle Smith may use any majority results as items she can action leading up to next year's election.
"The premier's level of popularity for pursuing massive amounts of immigration reform or even constitutional reform is muted, but she may look to use those issues as a rallying point for her own supporters within the party on a go-forward basis," Wesley said.
Feds to work on immigration levels: Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney says federal and provincial governments should work together on immigration levels before Alberta takes steps to do so on its own.
Five of the questions focused on immigration and could require constitutional changes to implement. Albertans have so far voted “yes” to whether the province should have more control over who comes into the province.
Carney says his government has already recognized changes needed to the immigration system and has taken steps already.
“I’m not saying that stabilization is complete, but where we go from here needs to be established in co-operation with the provinces, and that’s very much the spirit of at least one of the (referendum) questions,” he said.
Immigration levels in Canada peaked in 2024 but began dropping after Carney’s first budget in late 2025.
Analysts have said the country’s slow population growth means sustainable levels are subject to change. The federal government’s updated immigration level plan is set for release in November.
‘The separatists feel legitimized’: professor
While the Alberta referendum was an “overwhelming victory” for those who wish to remain in Canada, political science professor Duane Bratt says the results will only embolden members of the province’s separatist movement.
“I don’t think this is going away any time soon,” Bratt told CTV News Channel on Tuesday. “What we now see is that the separatists feel legitimized, they have mobilized, they have funding, they have [a] network and they’re going to try to push a future referendum despite being defeated handily last night.”
Bratt, who teaches at Mount Royal University in Calgary, says with clear divisions within her own party, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s job could also be on the line.
“The United Conservative Party, the governing party in Alberta, is split on this issue,” Bratt explained. “They have a party convention in November, and there is a constitutional mechanism within the party to trigger an early leadership review if a quarter of all our constituency associations has a resolution.”
‘Lots of ballots’ to be counted: Elections Alberta spokesperson
A spokesperson for Elections Alberta told CTV News Channel that they are only 12 hours into the vote counting. There were “lots of ballots” to be counted from boxes that arrived in Edmonton early this morning.
“We do begin to count every box that's open,” Michelle Gurney said Tuesday, adding that the number of boxes is around 65,000. “We are counting beginning with question 10. So, those are the results that will be finalized the fastest.”
Gurney said there was some time until the unofficial results were completed, and their target is to finish within the legislative timeline of 48 hours.
“Things are going smoothly, and then once that happens, then our returning officers have quite a bit of work to do – a pretty robust process for the verification of these results to move them from the unofficial to official,” she said, following which they will go in and review all the statements of votes.
“They can examine all of the materials they have and make sure everything looks as it should be. And if they do think they need to do a recount, they will do a recount.”
The spokesperson added that things went “quite smoothly” on their end Monday evening, despite some locations having to stay open late.
“We were trying to update people all day in terms of the number of locations that we would have staying open a little longer, and what that would mean is that the results reporting would occur a little bit later,” Gurney said.
Elections Alberta started counting special mail-in ballots and advance ballots at 5 p.m. MT.
Alberta referendum mail-in special ballots are seen in Calgary, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
'Now the path to unifying begins’: Kurek
With nearly a quarter of Albertans voting in favour of leaving Canada, according to preliminary results, former Conservative MP Damien Kurek says it's clear that many in the province are not satisfied with the status quo.
“They are frustrated with aspects of where Alberta is at in the Federation,” Kurek told CTV News Channel on Tuesday. “Now is an opportunity that we have as a nation to come together to say, look, we can be united, we can acknowledge the frustration, but we can chart that path forward.”
Kurek represented Alberta’s Battle River—Crowfoot riding from 2019 and 2025, when he resigned to allow Conservative leader Pierre Polievre to reclaim a seat in parliament. He is now a principal Upstream Strategy Group, a government relations and public affairs firm.
“I think that there is a bit of a sigh of relief amongst many,” Kurek said of the referendum results. “Now the path to unifying begins.”
Former Conservative MP for Battle River-Crowfoot Damien Kurek rises during Statements in the House of Commons, Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Voting delays 'relatively typical': Elections Alberta
While the provincial referendum is "a significant undertaking," what Albertans saw "was relatively typical of any large election event," an Elections Alberta spokesperson said Tuesday morning as workers continued counting ballots from the previous day's vote.
Kevin Duncan said most delays at 106 of the province's 1,400 polling stations were in the 10- to 15-minute range.
"There was a variety of scenarios, some of which were staffing, some of which were technical difficulties," Duncan told CTV News Edmonton. "Any location that experienced delays stayed open later to accommodate and allow as many voters as possible to vote."
Duncan said ballots are being counted at centralized hubs or at polling stations, depending on the circumstances.
"For any vote that occurred at a school, we can't stay there for 48 hours because kids have to return, so some of those ballot boxes were safely and securely moved to a centralized hub," he said.
Business groups happy with outcome
Alberta business groups are cheering the decisive win for the “stay” side in Monday’s referendum, but say more work lies ahead in getting the province a fair shake within Confederation.
The Business Council of Alberta says it’s “delighted” by the outcome, saying it allows the province to move forward with certainty.
But council president Adam Legge says the concerns that brought separation to the forefront of the public debate remain, and the provincial and federal governments must work together to pursue fairness for Alberta.
‘Excited’ to see the results: Edmonton mayor
The Mayor of Edmonton, Andrew Knack told CTV News Channel that he was “excited” to see the results of the referendum, since a higher percentage of Edmontonians voted to stay.
“Very excited to see that issue put to rest, so that we can really focus our time and attention on the issues that matter most: that's affordability, that's safety,” Knack said on Tuesday.
The mayor added that Albertans had made it “clear” that they wanted to stay a part of Canada, and that the government needs to start working on the other issues.
“Because the more we continue to dwell on this, especially after such a strong result, the more we continue to take away from our ability to build a thriving province and, in turn, build a thriving country,” he said.
Speaking of the issues surrounding immigration, the mayor said Edmonton wants to continue being a welcoming city.
“It doesn't matter where you are, where you come from, who you are, what you believe in,” Knack said. “This is a city that's going to welcome you and support you.”
The mayor said he wants to hear how Premier Danielle Smith is going to spend her time focusing and leaning into issues like affordability and safety in her address later this evening.
Edmonton Mayor Andrew Knack pictured in Edmonton, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
'None of that was necessary': Lewis said
Responding to the results on Parliament Hill Tuesday morning, federal NDP Leader Avi Lewis called the entire process “unnecessary.”
“I think the thumping result on the ‘Stay’ side is a clear message that Albertans in massive numbers want to be part of Canada. I think that is extremely healthy, it gives us a rare breath of hope in these difficult times,” he said.
“But at the cost of $130 million, giving the separatist movement in Alberta (a) venue, a campaign, an opportunity to build its strength… opening the door to foreign interference… none of that was necessary, all of that is negative and we all live with those consequences,” Lewis said.
Rachel Aiello, CTV News Ottawa Bureau correspondent
NDP Leader Avi Lewis speaks during a news conference against Bill C-39 in the National Press Theatre in Ottawa, on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026. . THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Can Smith repair rift before 2027 election?
Albertans will head to the polls again in just under a year, and one political analyst says Premier Danielle Smith needs to pivot into planning mode and repair relationships with her separatist base.
"How is she going to manage her base now?" Tom Vernon with Crestview Strategy said to CTV News Edmonton on Tuesday.
"There's the separatist part of her party, but there's the conservative part of her party where she's still popular. But can she bring them all back together in time for the election next year?"
Vernon said he expects Smith to shift her focus to what is next for Alberta. While the new Pacific Link pipeline could benefit the premier on the campaign trail, Vernon said she could face hurdles over her constitutional referendum questions.
"We had that constitutional referendum under Jason Kenney when it came to equalization, and it didn't go anywhere because changing the constitution is really hard," Vernon said.
"So how much is she going to put that out and say, 'Yes, we're going to drive these issues,’ (when) really they're not going to go very far when it comes to the national conversation. So it's about managing expectations on that front."
Second separation referendum possible: lawyer
A constitutional law expert says Alberta could face another referendum if the Stay Free citizen initiative group wins their appeal and the government is required to act on it.
“They can appeal on the reason that it was put aside because of the lack of consultation with Indigenous groups in terms of their treaty rights, and the court said that Elections Canada could not proceed with that referendum because of the lack of consultation,” Kathleen Mahoney told CTV News Channel on Tuesday.
According to Mahoney, the real, legal questions are still “up in the air”: When does that consultation have to take place? When must the cabinet act?
If the appeal is won, another referendum could take place with a similar question asked.
“Alberta also passed legislation that said that more than one referendum on a similar question can go forward, so that it doesn't matter whether the question is similar; it can still go forward,” Mahoney explained. “It doesn't talk about a process; it talks about whether Alberta should leave Canada. Period.”
In May, Premier Danielle Smith promised she would not hold another referendum on independence if Option 1 won.
Forever Canadian fight to continue: Lukaszuk
Thomas Lukaszuk, former Alberta MLA and deputy premier, said he and other Albertans will continue to send a message that Alberta belongs in Canada even after a clear majority of Albertans said no to a second referendum.
"We won't be standing down," Lukaszuk told CTV News Edmonton on Tuesday morning.
"A premier's internal United Conservative Party politics may dictate that we may have another referendum in order for the premier to survive as a leader of that party."
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith faces a leadership review next month, but some separatists are trying to speed up the process due to disappointment over Smith's supporting Alberta staying in Canada.
"The premier has some difficult decisions to make. She created chaos for herself, and now she has to choose whether Canadian unity is more important to her than the UCP party unity," Lukaszuk said.
'Grassroots’ versus ‘globalist machine’
The morning after Albertans rejected a sovereignty referendum, one of the movement’s contemporary architects said his push for independence will continue.
“We’re a grassroots movement and we were up against the entire globalist machine,” Jeffrey Rath, co-founder of the pro-independence Alberta Prosperity Project, told CTV News Channel from Foothills, Alta.
“Every single federal, provincial politician of note, from Harper to Manning to Kenney to Notley to Nenshi to Carney to Smith, were all campaigning against us.”
He said the movement’s leaders must continue speaking to Albertans about the “inequities of Canadian federalism.”
He also said the referendum, in light of this result, will bear rotten fruit for Premier Smith, who “can’t govern without us.” Sovereigntists made up a significant portion of her base, he contended, predicting they’ll soon demand a leadership review.
Separation should not be ‘discussed further’: lawyer
A lawyer and legal adviser to First Nations governments told CTV News Channel on Tuesday that the referendum results show separation should not be “discussed further.”
“I think that there has been a lot of disrespect from the provincial government in dealing with First Nations leadership,” Carly Fox, a partner at Fox LLP said. “I think the fact that this question was even included on the ballot shows a lot of disrespect for First Nations leadership, First Nations treaty rights protected in the Canadian Constitution.”
According to the lawyer, Premier Danielle Smith must now work to rebuild relationships to show she understands the law and how important Aboriginal treaty rights are to First Nations in Alberta.
“The premier should be having an open relationship with First Nations leadership, involving First Nations leadership from the very beginning when these types of proposals and these types of potential legislative amendments could affect First Nations,” Fox said. “We shouldn't have to work so hard to have our voices heard.”
Carney welcomes ‘great result’
“It’s a great result for Canada,” Prime Minister Mark Carney said on his way into a cabinet meeting on Parliament Hill Tuesday morning.
He said he's “thrilled that Albertans have chosen unity.”
Rachel Aiello, CTV News Ottawa Bureau correspondent
Rachel Aiello, CTV News Ottawa Bureau correspondent
First Nation ran out of ballots, says chief
A polling station at an Alberta First Nation experienced hours-long opening delays and ran out of ballots before all members could vote on Monday, according to Siksika Nation Chief Samuel Crowfoot.
“The fact of the matter is that we ran out of ballots. A lot of First Nations ran out of ballots,” he told CTV News Channel on Tuesday morning. “Anything that affects our ability to vote, we’re going to take seriously. Our people have to have confidence in the voting system.”
He said leadership in his community is considering requesting a formal explanation on staffing and resources from Elections Alberta to ensure that polling station was equitably equipped compared to other locations.
Siksika Nation, located about an hour east of Calgary, was one of a handful of First Nations that launched a legal challenge to an earlier version of Alberta’s separation petition on the grounds that the province did not properly consult Indigenous people. In May, a judge ruled in their favour.
“In fact, coincidentally, or not coincidentally enough, the First Nations that ran out of ballots were the First Nations that brought forward that legal challenge,” Crowfoot said.
CTV News has reached out to Elections Alberta to respond.
“Anything that affects our ability to vote, we’re going to take seriously. Our people have to have confidence in the voting system.”Siksika Nation Chief Samuel Crowfoot
Results show ‘soft’ support for separatism: analyst
According to a political analyst, the referendum results show a “tepid, more soft” support for separatism than previously thought.
“I think it just signals that people don't see it necessarily as a bad thing that Ottawa is providing social services or consistent standards across the country,” Lori Turnbull told CTV News Channel on Tuesday.
Keith Wilson, co-leader of the separatist movement Let Alberta Decide, “drifted” from urging voters to choose separation and instead framed the vote as sending a message to Ottawa, Turnbull said.
“Perhaps recognizing that the real concerns for many Albertans is a question of fairness and respect within Canada, and the benefits of Canada," Turnbull added. "While they outweigh the disadvantages … improvements are certainly possible."
She later said if there isn’t strong support for some of the other questions, there may still be room for negotiation.
Forever Canadian signs seen outside of the pro Canada watch party in Edmonton, Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/James Maclennan
‘Alberta needs to be treated better’
The co-leader of the grassroots separatist political movement Let Alberta Decide said this referendum vote has caused an “important discussion” about Alberta’s place within Confederation.
“The concerns that Albertans have today about how we're treated within Confederation did not begin with this referendum,” Keith Wilson said Monday evening. “It began over 100 years ago.”
According to the co-leader of the movement, Alberta is treated “differently” within Confederation than other provinces.
“It's fair to say that at least a quarter of Albertans feel that Alberta needs to be treated better,” Wilson said. “That Alberta can do better.”
He added that many, including himself feel like Ottawa is holding Albertans back.
“I think the discussion is going to continue because it needs to,” Wilson said.
‘This never should have happened’: Kenney
Former Alberta premier and United Conservative Party of Alberta co-founder Jason Kenney is celebrating the referendum results.
“As a Canadian patriot, I’m happy and I’m also hopeful that we will now decisively put this behind us,” Kenney told CTV’s Your Morning on Tuesday. “This never should have happened. No MLA, no government was elected to impose this kind of massive and deep social division on us.”
Kenney, who also served in former prime minister Stephen Harper’s cabinet, described Alberta’s separation leaders as “marginal characters” and “blowhards.”
“If those separatists want in a democratic society to continue to grind their axe, they are I guess free to do so by going and starting a separatist party,” Kenney added. “They must be told, I think at this point, that they’re no longer welcome in the United Conservative Party.”
Former Alberta premier Jason Kenney claps at an Edmonton Chamber luncheon, in Edmonton, on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Ulan
Issues remain
While Kenney supports remaining in Canada, he says Alberta’s legitimate grievances still need to be addressed by the federal government.
“Many of us, I believe, think that there are structural flaws in the federation that treat Alberta unfairly,” Kenney explained. “The primary complaint is this: We transfer about $20 billion more to Ottawa through our federal taxes than Albertans get back through federal benefits and transfers.”
“(Separatists are) no longer welcome in the United Conservative Party.”Former Alberta premier Jason Kenney
What happens now?
Now that Albertans have voted to remain, this particular process has ended.
But that doesn’t mean the issue, or the sentiments within the province that got us here, cease to exist. This so-called “no vote” doesn’t eliminate the possibility that a future government could revisit the question of separation.
Those on this side of the vote have already spoken out, indicating as much.
Keith Wilson, the co-chair for the group Let Alberta Decide, has said that no matter the outcome, it won’t be the end of the separatism discussion.
“Regardless of what happens tonight, it’s going to keep going forward,” he said. “I think we’re having the important discussions, and hopefully in time it will become less polarizing.”
Jeffrey Rath shows his support for Mitch Sylvestre as he submits signatures for a separation referendum to Elections Alberta in Edmonton, on Monday, May 4, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
Separatists to continue push
Jeffrey Rath, legal counsel for the separatist Alberta Prosperity Project, said he thinks a “political movement” has been created.
“We’re not going to stop until Alberta becomes a free and independent country and becomes the wealthiest country in the world,” he said.
Under the province’s citizen-initiated referendum laws, a future petition process could spark a similar democratic exercise.
Under the province’s citizen-initiated referendum laws, a future petition process could spark a similar democratic exercise.
“We’re not going to stop until Alberta becomes a free and independent country and becomes the wealthiest country in the world.”Jeffrey Rath, legal counsel for the separatist Alberta Prosperity Project
Rachel Aiello, CTV News Ottawa Bureau correspondent
Canada ‘worth fighting for’: Poilievre
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre celebrated the win for the remain side, saying the “promise of Canada is worth fighting for.”
“Now our focus must be on results in people’s lives: affordable food and homes, safe streets, strong borders, and less immigration,” he wrote on X.
Poilievre rallied in favour of Alberta’s continued membership in confederation in recent days. He encouraged Albertans who were leaning toward separation to think of Canada as more than the federal party in power.
“To those thinking about taking out their frustration on the current government by voting for separation, I say this: Canada is more than a government; it is a people, a flag, a land, a history and a promise,” he told a crowd at Calgary’s Canada Strong and Free conference last week.
Poilievre, who had long held the Ontario riding of Carleton, recently ran and won a new seat in Alberta’s Battle River-Crowfoot district.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre delivers a speech on national unity in Calgary, Friday, Oct. 16, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
‘Biggest political mistake of the year’
Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi is calling the premier's decision to hold a referendum vote “the biggest political mistake of the year.”
“Politicians have made politics so ugly, but what we know with this referendum is that Albertans have woken up. They've woken up to what this government is, and they've woken up to the possibility of a much better government,” Nenshi said, as the crowd cheered Monday evening. “So, our job is to keep them awake.”
He went on to say, “this disaster of a referendum” will be Premier Danielle Smith’s legacy, adding she “will always be separatism,” as he reacted to early results.
Nenshi criticized the nearly $200-million referendum cost.
“Albertans have shown that when they're faced with a well-funded campaign, when they're faced with people who are feeding them misinformation every single day, when they're faced with people who try to divide us into camps, they say ‘no, enough,’” he said. “That is not Alberta.”
‘There’s still some unifying that needs to be done’
While Albertans voted overwhelmingly in favour of remaining in Canada, political strategist Matt Solberg says more needs to be done to address the concerns of those who want to separate.
“There’s still some unifying that needs to be done here,” Solberg told CTV’s Your Morning on Tuesday. “Certain parts of the province are feeling more optimistic than others.”
Solberg, a partner at New West Public Affairs, spent more than a decade working in Alberta politics, including as a former communications director and spokesperson for the United Conservative Party of Alberta.
“I’m not terribly surprised to see [support for separation] break down primarily on rural and urban lines,” Solberg said.
“But ultimately, I think the premier has a clear mandate across the province now to say that, ‘Look, things aren't perfect, I've never said they were, and in fact, I've been working since I became Premier to try and strengthen Alberta's position, but within Confederation.’”
A supporter waits for results at the pro Canada watch party in Edmonton, Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/James Maclennan
‘Setting the stage for something very different’
Albertans rejecting a second referendum to separate from Canada was a “decisive” move, according to CTV News’ Chief Political Correspondent Vassy Kapelos. But this does not mean the separatists are going to accept it and back down.
“Clearly, they're setting the stage for something very different,” Kapelos told CTV News Channel Monday evening.
“They obviously didn't get the result they wanted. I do think though that this experience has amplified their voices in the public discourse in this province and elsewhere, and they're going to try to run with that.”
Kapelos later added that Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has “expelled some political capital” during this vote that she could rebuild ahead of the next election. Meanwhile, there are people who align with the separatist movement and want to “keep the pressure” on the premier.
“They feel as though she's betrayed them, and she'll face them at the party's convention at the end of November.”
How Calgary voted
Twenty-two of Calgary’s 26 ridings all voted more than 80 per cent according to the current unofficial results as of 4 a.m. MT on Tuesday.
The remaining four ridings were all more than 75 per cent in support of staying, with Calgary-South East being the lowest result in the city at 76.8 per cent.
In that riding, there were 24,509 votes cast to stay while 7,407 voted for another referendum.
Calgary’s Mayor Jeromy Farkas says, despite the positive outcome, the whole debate caused damage to the city’s – and Alberta’s – reputation.
“(It) has caused the rest of the country to really doubt what our commitment really is. It’s also lost us a lot of talent and investment,” he said.
“My vote to remain was not an endorsement of the status quo but it was a show of confidence to support our premier (and) support our prime minister. They’re working together, they’re showing how our country can work and we are so much better off as a globally connected Canadian city.”
Albertans lean away from Question 8
Of the nine non-referendum proposals, Albertans appear to favour all but one.
Question 8 is the outlier.
“Do you support the Government of Alberta working with the governments of other willing provinces to amend the Canadian Constitution to allow provinces to opt out of federal programs that intrude on provincial jurisdiction such as health care, education and social services, without a province losing any of the associated federal funding for use in its social programs?”Question 8, Alberta Referendum 2026
The margin is narrow, though. As of 5 a.m. MT, the no votes amounted to just over 300,000, leading the yes side which counted 281,000 supporters. Many polling areas have yet to report their results, and official counts are expected on Wednesday.
Several questions have flip-flopped as tight margins endure between yes and no votes down the ballot.
Central Peace-Notley
This northern riding is the only one in the province where the majority of voters counted so far want a second referendum to vote on whether Alberta should separate from Canada.
With 53 of 60 polls reporting, 51.1 per cent of voters in Central Peace-Notley chose Option 2 in Question 10, supporting a binding separation vote.
No ridings in Edmonton or Calgary dipped below 75 per cent for Option 1, in favour of staying in Canada, while many ridings in northern, central and southern Alberta had ridings in the high 50s and low 60s.
Doug Ford wants new pipelines
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he’s “thrilled” with the results on separation, calling it a choice in favour of a “stronger, more prosperous future” for Alberta.
“Now it’s up to the rest of Canada to deliver on our commitment to Alberta by building new pipelines, unlocking our natural resources and unleashing the prosperity that will protect the future of Canadians from coast to coast to coast,” he added in a post on X.
Over the summer, Smith and Ford unveiled a proposal for a new pipeline that would run between their two provinces. They said it would move up to 500,000 barrels of oil per day and could expand capacity to deliver up to 800,000.
At the time, Greenpeace Canada criticized the proposal, saying there was no business case for such a project.
At the time, Greenpeace Canada criticized the proposal, saying there was no business case for such a project.
Smith to hold post-vote address
Smith says she plans to address Albertans live at 6:45 p.m. MT to discuss referendum results and look ahead to “where our province goes from here.”
FILE: Alberta Premier Danielle Smith listens to a question during a press conference at the Canadian Forces Base in Edmonton. THE CANADIAN PRESS/James Maclennan
Divisions on immigration
The immigration questions asked whether Alberta should have more say on who comes to the province to work and whether it's time to put more limitations -- and perhaps introduce fees -- on some who seek access to health care and education.
Smith has said immigration is a benefit but must be economically sustainable. Critics have called the questions anti-immigrant dog-whistling.
Edmonton Mayor Andrew Knack said Monday that not only does Alberta need to move on from separation, it should also ditch the immigration questions.
"I don't want our neighbours to feel like they're not welcome in our city," Knack said.
At a polling station in Calgary, voters were split.
Jamie Fisher said she supports all nine. "I don't think it's been fair (to Alberta) for a really long time, and I think a lot of people need to really hear that message," she said.
Amneet Mann characterized some of the questions as anti-immigrant. "I just don't think that's what this country stands for," she said.
Alberta referendum question seen in Edmonton. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
Question 9: Whose laws apply?
The question is: Do you support the Government of Alberta working with the governments of other willing provinces to amend the Canadian Constitution to better protect provincial rights from federal interference by giving a province's laws dealing with provincial or shared areas of constitutional jurisdiction priority over federal laws when the province's laws and federal laws conflict?
Under the Constitution, federal laws are given standing over provincial laws when they overlap and conflict. Like the other questions that deal with constitutional reform, a shift toward provincial legal paramountcy would require approval from the Senate, the House of Commons and seven provinces representing at least half the country’s population.
At around 3 a.m. MT, the vote was essentially split, with both sides commanding around 170,000 counted votes.
A Canadian flag flies in front of the of the Alberta Legislature in Edmonton, on Sunday, Oct, 18, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Timon Johnson
Question 8: Opting out of federal programs
The question is: Do you support the Government of Alberta working with the governments of other willing provinces to amend the Canadian Constitution to allow provinces to opt out of federal programs that intrude on provincial jurisdiction such as health care, education, and social services, without a province losing any of the associated federal funding for use in its social programs?
- Read more about the question and what it means here.
This has been the closest question all night, regularly changing back and forth between yes and no.
Final results will be announced on Wednesday. Find live results here.
Final results will be announced on Wednesday. Find live results here.
Question 7: Abolish the Senate?
The question is: Do you support the Government of Alberta working with the governments of other willing provinces to amend the Canadian Constitution to abolish the unelected federal Senate?
Just before 3 a.m. MT, yes votes led by around 20,000, though ballots are still being counted.
Such a move requires unanimous approval from all provinces and ratification in the House of Commons and the Senate itself.
FILE: Governor General Louise Arbour departs the Senate after she was installed as Canada's 31st Governor General in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Question 6: Amending the constitution
The question is: Do you support the Government of Alberta working with the governments of other willing provinces to amend the Canadian Constitution to have provincial governments, and not the federal government, select the justices appointed to provincial King's Bench and Appeal courts?
In order to change Canada’s constitution, a provincial government would need to rally significant, widespread support from elsewhere in the country. Canadian law permits amendments only after the green light is given by two thirds of the country’s provinces representing an 50 per cent aggregate of Canada’s overall population.
The two sides were functionally tied at 2:30 a.m. MT as ballots were still being counted. We expect official results to arrive on Wednesday.
FILE: Alberta Premier Danielle Smith adjusts her microphone as she prepares to speak during a news conference following the First Ministers Meeting in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Question 5: Voter ID
The question is: Do you support the Government of Alberta introducing a law requiring individuals to provide proof of citizenship, such as a passport, birth certificate or citizenship card, to vote in an Alberta provincial election?
Voters appeared to be leaning yes shortly after 2 a.m. MT. The yes side had roughly 232,000 ballots, while those against amounted to 142,000. There remain thousands of votes that have not yet been counted.
In Alberta, voting is restricted to provincial residents, who are also Canadian citizens, over the age of 18. Voters already need to show identification and confirm their address in order to cast a ballot.
A voting sign to be used for the 2026 Alberta Referendum in Edmonton, Alta. The Canadian Press
Question 4: Access to care
The question is: Assuming that all Canadian citizens and permanent residents continue to qualify for public health care and education as they do now, do you support the Government of Alberta charging a reasonable fee or premium to individuals with a non-permanent immigration status living in Alberta for their and their family’s use of the health-care and education systems?
- Read more about the question and what it means here.
Much like the three immigration questions before it, Question 4 is receiving relatively strong approval from Alberta voters, with an advantage of more than 50,000 votes.
Final results will be announced on Wednesday. See live results here.
Question 3: 12 months for social support
The question is: Assuming that all Canadian citizens and permanent residents continue to qualify for social support programs as they do now, do you support the Government of Alberta introducing a law requiring all individuals with a non-permanent legal immigration status to reside in Alberta for at least 12 months before qualifying for any provincially-funded social support programs?
The province has said it wouldn’t choose which programs would be affected until after the referendum, should Albertans support it. At around 2 a.m. MT, the yes camp commanded around 75,000 votes over the no side (297,000-221,390).
Newcomer support workers expressed concern over Question 3 to CTV News earlier this month, saying it could lead to worsening housing instability and reduce immigrants’ access to services impacting their basic needs.
