CAnada Prime Minister Mark Carney won the elections just over a week ago in the middle of the US President Donald Trump’s conversation on the country’s annexation. But now, a threat to Canada’s sovereignty comes from the inside.
Danielle Smith, the first first in Alberta, said on Monday in a live broadcast that she would hold a referendum on the separation of the province next year if such a petition amasses prior support.
“The Albertans have always been loyal, proud and generous Canadians – we love Canada,” said Smith, before embarking on successive Canadian national governments for introducing “legislation and destructive policies”.
Smith said that the Alberta government will not vote on the separation of Canada and that it personally supports separation, but it has affirmed: “If there is a referendum petition led by citizens who are able to collect the required number of signatures asking for such a question to ask a referendum, our government will respect the democratic process and understand this question on the provincial reference 2026.”.
Here’s what you need to know.
What is Alberta’s policy?
Alberta is a Canadian province with a population of approximately 5 million inhabitants and which borders the US state of Montana. The province is known for its vast oil and natural gas reserves, while mining, career and oil and gas extraction constitute the largest proportion of the province’s economy, according to a government website.
Alberta is a key engine in the Canadian economy. This is the main producer of fossil fuels for the nation, representing 84% of total crude oil production and 61% of total natural gas production in 2023, and in 2024, Alberta finished second behind Ontario in terms of GDP growth contributions. Alberta GDP is also the highest among the Canadian provinces.
The province is also considered to be a conservative bastion: Smith belongs to the Uni Conservative Party, which has led the provincial government since 2019 and defends lower taxes and against a carbon tax. Alberta under Smith has challenged the federal deadlines for net-zero emissions and clean energy regulations.
In general, many Albertans oppose the national liberal government, which has led Canada since 2015 and has exercised environmental policies which, according to the inhabitants, will hinder the economic growth of the province.
Smith said that under the liberal direction, Ottawa blocked pipelines, canceled several oil and gas projects and introduced a carbon tax-fonts which she described as “anti-energy, anti-farming and anti-resource development”.
“We are not asking for special processing or documents,” said Smith in his statement on Monday. “We just want to be free: free to develop and export this incredible wealth of resources that we have for the benefit of our families and our future generations.”
How does Alberta separate?
After the Carney elections, the Albertans went to their provincial legislature to protest against the Liberals by remaining in power and to reach support for separation. According to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, some demonstrators have even been seen wearing American flags.
Most Albertans, according to a May 1 survey by Nanos Research, based in Ottawa, think that staying with Canada would be better for the economy. Only 1 in 10 respondents said the province would be better within the framework of the United States
But this is not the first time that separation calls have appeared from Alberta, because the west side of the nation has grievances against center of Canada and federal government for decades. There were calls for separation from Alberta on various national problems in the 1970s, according to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
Only one province, however, has in fact held referendums on the separation of Canada: Quebec, in 1980 and 1995, both of which showed that the majority of Quebecers preferred to stay with Canada.
But leaving is not as easy as voting in favor of a referendum. The Constitution of Canada does not allow unilateral separation. After the unsuccessful referendums on separation in Quebec, the federal government promulgated the Clarity Act in 2000 on how to approach future referendums in the country’s independence research provinces. The law stipulates that the House of Commons of the National Parliament determines whether the referendum on the independence of a province demonstrates “a clear expression of a will by a clear majority” of the provincial population. Once determined, the provincial government can then negotiate with the federal government to modify the Canadian Constitution to potentially allow its secession.
How did Mark Carney replied?
Shortly after the Carney elections, the Prime Minister met Smith, who wrote in an article on X on May 2 that the two discussed the measures concerning the economy of Alberta “and specific proposals for projects and legislative reforms which will considerably increase access to the Alberta Oil and Gas market, agricultural products and other products.” Smith described the conversation with Carney as “a first positive step”.
Carney responded to Smith’s post: “We are both focused on reducing the cost of living and increasing opportunities in the energy sector for the Albertains who work hard. I can’t wait to work together – to break interprorcal trade barriers and to build a strong Canadian economy. ” In his recent statement, Smith said his provincial government would appoint a negotiation team to fight against these policies. She also said that she would chair an “Alberta Next” panel, which would hold a series of town halls, to hear Albertans about what they want for the future of the province.
