Alberta Adds Separation-Related Question to Fall Referendum

politicsMay 21, 202634221

Alberta's United Conservative Party government added a question to the province's fall referendum asking whether Albertans want a future referendum on Alberta's status within Canada, not a direct vote on independence. The question will appear on the fall ballot and explicitly does not enact sovereignty this year; it instead asks voters to authorize a follow-up referendum at a later date. That move creates a formal pathway toward a possible future independence vote, raises legal questions about how federal rules such as the Clarity Act would apply, and could alter Alberta-federal relations and business confidence if voters approve pursuing separation.

Courtney Theriault

@ctheriault.bsky.social

I dont know if Alberta's referendum question will pass the Clarity Act but it will pass the Calamity Act.

6758d ago

Carrie Tait

@carrietait.bsky.social

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is putting separation on the referendum ballot, with a multiple choice question: www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/alber... w @mattscace.bsky.social

3158d ago

Mt Pleasant 🇨🇦 🇩🇪8

because OF COURSE it's a multiple choice question the best way to come up with no real outcome just more rage just more treason just more holding 80%+ of the province, hostage to a fight they don't want to be in

Susan Lancaster Jaeger8

It's an "OR" question. You can't have an OR question!!!!!

Luke Côté7

How could anyone ever accuse her of being a separatist? 🤷 Also, in Quebec the political leaders at least have to the courage to stand by their convictions on separatism. They loudly and boldly declare it. Alberta? Lies and pussyfooting.

Warren Brazier7

We’ve all seen some silly; this is next level…LOL

Susan Lancaster Jaeger6

Somebody has to do a word count - how many times did she say "Trudeau"?

ringingangel.bsky.social5

Snake oil. Grifters. Every last one of them. How anyone would trust them to lead an independent nation boggles my mind.

e46kzr67.bsky.social3

Every time Smith is referenced, she needs to be called the "Separatist Premier". Every time.

Macgyyver2

There is no question the referendum questions are improper and should never be presented to Albertans.

Raul

@mrvargas.bsky.social

An Alberta Liberal MP’s response to Premier Smith’s decision to add a separation question to October’s referendum

958d ago

Aaron Wherry

@aaronwherry.bsky.social

It's not clear to me whether Alberta's referendum question will trigger the Clarity Act.

2558d ago

Aaron Wherry7

Here's Clause 1. Is this technically a "question ... relating to the proposed secession of the province from Canada"?

JC in Rothesay 🌲 🇨🇦

@jc-in-rothesay.bsky.social

Only Alberta would have a referendum about whether or not to have another referendum... the UCP loves spending their constituents money on nothingburgers

1658d ago

APTN News

@aptnnews.bsky.social

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says the province will appeal a judge's decision that threw out a separatist petition. She also proposed a new referendum question on separation while maintaining she does not support the idea.

1158d ago

James Boxall

@jamesgis.bsky.social

Huh? The Alberta UCP party sends out a press release that a referendum question on separation has been agreed to WHILE the committee debating this question had yet to finalize any motion. I'm just gonna put this out there" Alberta politics is way too much like those in another country.

959d ago

Marty Chan

@martychan.bsky.social

You’ve reached the Alberta referendum hotline. If you want to separate, press 1. If you want to have a referendum on a referendum to separate, press 2. If you want to stay in Canada, press €¥+%\_><{!,<£^.

958d ago

cm 🇨🇦

@cmcalgary.bsky.social

The announcement tonight is a new referendum question added to the referendum questions: should Alberta hold a referendum? #Alberta #referendum #AlbertaReferendum

1158d ago

Rex Garrison2

What are the chances that the response choices will be "Yes" or "No"?

Matt Gurney

@mattgurney.bsky.social

"Separatism is the inevitable outcome of that strategy left unchained, feral, and unfed in the yard. It is fuelled by very legitimate frustrations and grievances — but also by grandiosity, fantasy, and nihilism." www.readtheline.ca/p/jen-gerson...

858d ago

Danielle Smith Premier of Alberta 🌺 Parody

@daniellesmithab.bsky.social

Hey Dj Khaled…I’m adding “another one” ALBERTA REFERENDUM QUESTION 11: Do you agree that my head should remain up my ass when Albertans vote in a new Premier in 2027? #abpoli

358d ago

ringingangel.bsky.social

@ringingangel.bsky.social

Yup. Smith spewing snake oil again. She is asking two questions but only allowing one answer. Should Alberta remain a province in Canada? Should the UCP start the process for a binding referendum on separation? Which question does my vote apply to?

558d ago

🇨🇦 Bernice Hillier 🇨🇦

@bernicecb.bsky.social

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Thursday he will campaign across Alberta encouraging the people in his home province to stay in Canada if there's a referendum on separation this fall. www.cbc.ca/news/politic...

458d ago

Rev Barb2

What has he been waiting for??

Ned Yeung 🍉

@neddog.bsky.social

The question she announced tonight is: "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 referendumnon whether or not Alberta should separate from Canada?" #abpoli #ableg

Gil McGowan

It’s official. The UCP majority on a special committee of the Legislature has just passed a motion calling for a referendum separation on October 19, 2026. Kudos to NDP MLAs Pancholi, Gray and Ellingson for putting up a noble fight. Tonight, Smith will give an address (almost certainly recorded before this motion was passed) saying she’s putting the separatists question on the ballot “for the sake of democracy” and (disingenuously) for the sake of the 450,000 Albertans who signed the Forever Cdn petition. As I predicted last night, the question will almost certainly be presented as choice between the Forever Cdn question (to stay in Canada) and the separatist question (to leave). As Pancholi, Gray and Ellingson ably pointed out in debate, this will fly in the face of both court decisions and public opinion. It will also be an affront to the rights of First Nations. But, Smith will do it anyway — because she’s more interested in appeasing the separatists who control her party and her personal political future than she is in real democracy or defending the actually best interests of Albertans. What all of this shows is that it’s time for mass protest. We have a rogue, MAGA-influenced and MAGA-aligned government that is thumbing its nose at Albertans and our democracy. The courts and our legislators couldn’t stop them. Now it’s up to us, Alberta citizens. If you’re angry about this affront to democracy, or any of the many other outrages perpetrated by this government, join the Provincewide Day of Protest, next Friday, May 29. fightbacknow.civicdeeds.com

258d ago

Glonzo In Exile 🇨🇦🇬🇱🇨🇦🇬🇱

@glonzo-in-exile.bsky.social

Should Alberta have a referendum on whether to have a referendum on whether to have a referendum on whether to have a referendum on whether to have a referendum on whether to have a referendum on whether to have a referendum on whether to have a referendum on whether they should leave Canada?

358d ago

3 sources

ctvnews.caAlberta government adds separation-related question to fall referendum open.substack.comJen Gerson: Saddle up, Alberta. We're referendum-ing readtheline.caJen Gerson: Saddle up, Alberta. We're referendum-ing

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