The province of Alberta is to hold a referendum on secession from Canada — for now, a symbolic one

This was announced by the head of the provincial government, Danielle Smith, according to CBC News.

In a speech on 21 May, Smith noted that this referendum would not lead to Alberta’s secession from Canada, but would give the province’s residents the opportunity to express their views.

Residents will be asked whether the Alberta government should begin the legal process required to hold a binding referendum on the province’s independence in the future.

The Premier of Alberta says she is in favour of the province remaining part of Canada and intends to vote accordingly in the referendum scheduled for 19 October.

To date, only one region in Canadian history — Quebec — has held referendums on independence.

The province of Alberta: what is known about it

Alberta is an oil-rich Canadian province with a population of around 5 million people. For decades, a small separatist movement, the Alberta Prosperity Project, has existed there, advocating for the province’s independence. However, it has never had any real political clout.

In January, the Financial Times, citing sources, reported that representatives of US President Donald Trump’s administration had met several times with representatives of the Canadian separatist movement. Trump himself has on several occasions suggested that Canada become the 51st state of the US. The Canadian government has rejected such proposals.

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