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Alberta government adds separation-related question to fall referendum
The ballot will ask whether Alberta should start the legal process for a future binding vote, after more than 700,000 petition signatures.
On Thursday, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced an Oct. 19 referendum asking voters whether Alberta should remain in Canada or commence the constitutional process for a binding independence vote.
The referendum follows citizen-led petitions where more than 300,000 Albertans signed seeking separation and more than 400,000 signed to keep Alberta in Canada.
Separatist leader Mitch Sylvestre felt "duped" by the ballot's wording, arguing it requires additional legal steps rather than providing immediate separation for Alberta.
Alberta New Democratic Party Leader Naheed Nenshi pledged a spring and summer campaign opposing Smith, as critics from both political flanks expressed anger over the plan.
Despite the referendum push, opinion polls suggest a majority of Albertans would vote against separating, while the Oct. 19 vote previously included nine questions centered on immigration.
A new challenge opens up to Canada’s Prime Minister, Liberal Mark Carney. Alberta, the country’s most conservative and wealthy province, is going to explore the possibility—for now very remote—of independence. The news has been released in a televised speech by the provincial head of government. Right-wing populist Danielle Smith has announced a consultation for October 19 at which the citizens of Alberta will have to decide whether they want to…