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Despite supporting staying in Canada, Smith said a successful vote for independence would trigger legal steps toward a future binding referendum on separating from the rest of the country.
(LifeSiteNews) — Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she will respect the outcome of a fall referendum asking Albertans if they want to hold a future vote on whether the province should leave Canada.
Smith reiterated that she will be an active participant in the campaign for the stay in Canada side of the referendum, which will be held on October 19, 2026, but will respect the outcome regardless.
In speaking to reporters recently, after announcing the separation question, Smith said she and her United Conservative Party (UCP) caucus will advocate for staying in Canada.
“I have been clear with Albertans from the start that I support remaining in Canada, and that has and will continue to be the position of my government and my caucus,” she told the media
“I believe Albertans should remain in Canada, and I would ask that all Albertans join me in voting to remain a province of Canada.”
As reported by LifeSiteNews, Smith recently announced that despite her “personal support for remaining in Canada,” she will let Albertans decide if there should be a vote on Alberta leaving Canada.
The question to be put to Albertans reads, “Should Alberta remain a province of Canada or should the Government of Alberta commence the legal process required under the Canadian Constitution to hold a binding provincial referendum on whether or not Alberta should separate from Canada?”
Smith told reporters that should the “Leave” side win the referendum question, she would start “the legal process to advance it to a binding referendum,” but admitted this could take years.
She admitted that the separatists have legitimate frustration with how the federal government has treated Alberta for decades.
“Just because you acknowledge frustration, it doesn’t mean it goes away if you ignore it,” she said about those with separatist ideals.