Alberta referendum set for Oct. 19 on secession vote process

The government of Alberta will hold a referendum on October 19, asking voters whether the province should remain in Canada or begin the constitutional process for a future binding vote on separation. Premier Danielle Smith announced the plan, stating she will personally vote for Alberta to stay in Confederation.

The proposed question will ask voters to choose between remaining a province or having the government commence the legal process required under the Canadian Constitution to hold a binding provincial referendum on separation. This question will be the tenth item on a ballot already set to include nine other queries on immigration and constitutional matters announced in February.

The announcement follows a recent court ruling that invalidated a citizen-led petition for a direct independence vote. On May 13, Alberta Court of King's Bench Justice Shaina Leonard halted the separatist petition, ruling the government failed to properly consult First Nations. Premier Smith said her government is appealing that decision but argued the new referendum question is designed to proceed without further litigation, which she said could take years. She stated she would not allow a legal...