Albertans head to the polls on October 19 to answer a non-binding question: should Alberta remain a province of Canada, or start the legal process for a future binding referendum on separation?
Recent polls show a clear majority want to stay. Janet Brown Opinion Research, in a survey for CBC conducted in mid-September, found 72% would vote to remain in Canada and 23% would vote to begin the separation process. An early-October Leger poll showed 70% for remaining and 22% for starting the process.
On Thanksgiving, Prime Minister Mark Carney released a video from his old high school in Edmonton urging Albertans to stay. He said that a week from then, Albertans would decide whether to remain part of Canada or "begin a long and uncertain process" toward separation.
Carney pointed to new homes, high-speed rail and a pipeline to the West Coast, then made his pitch for unity.
"You can't build big things on fault lines… We are stronger together… Generations of Albertans helped build this country. It's yours, it's ours, and it's worth fighting for," Carney said.
The October 19 result does not separate Alberta. It only asks whether the province should start the steps toward a later binding vote. Premier Danielle Smith has said she supports remaining in Canada and will not call another separation referendum if the remain option wins.
With the premier and the prime minister on the same side and the polls pointing one way, the remain camp goes into the final week with a clear lead. Now it's up to Albertans to show up and decide.
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