October 20, 2026 | 10:07am
Alberta held a nonbinding referendum on October 19, on whether the oil-rich Canadian province should secede from Canada, amid growing frustration over economic issues. Polls indicated that most voters opposed independence, with an Angus Reid survey finding 66% planned to remain part of Canada. However, three in five respondents believed the separatist movement would continue. The debate adds pressure on Prime Minister Mark Carney as he faces trade tensions with the United States and President Donald Trump’s repeated remarks about Canada becoming the 51st state.