Albertans Vote to Remain in Canada, Rejecting Separation Referendum
CBC News projects that Alberta voters have rejected a proposal for a binding referendum on independence, with early results showing approximately 76.5 per cent in favour of staying in Canada.
CBC News has projected that Albertans voted to remain in Canada, rejecting a proposal to begin the separation process. Early provincial referendum results indicate that more than 76 per cent of voters supported staying part of the country, while roughly 23 per cent wanted a binding vote on whether to leave.
As of 11:27 p.m. MT on October 19, 2026, early numbers showed 76.5 per cent of ballots cast — 806,570 votes — were on the stay side, while 23.5 per cent, or 248,402 votes, favoured holding a binding referendum on independence. In Edmonton, 84.8 per cent of votes counted so far supported staying, compared with 15.2 per cent in favour of an independence vote. In Calgary, 81.1 per cent backed remaining in Canada, while 18.9 per cent supported holding another vote on independence.
The projection was announced shortly after polls closed, prompting celebrations at "Forever Canadian" watch parties. In contrast, there was silence and a lack of reaction at the Alberta Prosperity Project's watch party.
Thomas Lukaszuk spoke to supporters at Polish Hall in central Edmonton around 11:40 p.m. MT, stating that Alberta will not be the "weak link" in Confederation. Edmonton Mayor Andrew Knack said the referendum vote sends a "clear message of trust across Canada that Alberta is here to stay," adding that the result restores investor confidence and certainty for Edmonton and Alberta.
Elections Alberta counted ballots by hand because Bill 20, passed in May 2024, banned electronic tabulators following controversy over the 2023 Banff-Kananaskis election result, which was decided by a margin of 199 votes. The manual counting process, along with voters who remained in line at one polling station in the riding of Cardston-Siksika after polls closed, delayed initial results.
Early results on other ballot questions show "yes" votes leading on Questions 1 through 5, which relate to immigration policies, while "no" votes are leading on Questions 6 through 9, concerning constitutional changes. Question 10 is the separation-related ballot.