The latest developments on the Alberta referendum

EDMONTON — Albertans have voted in a historic referendum.

There are 10 questions on the ballot, with the key one asking whether the province should remain in Canada or hold a second, binding referendum on leaving the country.

The other nine questions focus on immigration and the Constitution.

Here are the latest developments (all times Mountain):

12:30 a.m.

Prime Minister Mark Carney says the results show it’s time for Albertans and Canadians to move forward with renewed purpose.

Carney says Albertans made a clear choice for unity and to work to help each other.

He says the country is so much greater than the sum of its parts.

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12:25 a.m.

Jeff Rath of the pro-independence Alberta Prosperity Project says the fight is not over.

Rath says his movement dominated the conversation in the last year and they have shown Albertans the benefits of independence.

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12:15 a.m.

Thomas Lukaszuk, leader of the Forever Canadian campaign, says the referendum results send a strong message to the world: “Don’t mess with Canada.”

He says if U.S. President Donald Trump is watching, he should be worried about his mid-terms because Canada isn’t up for grabs.

Lukaszuk also says those who voted in favour of separation shouldn’t be ignored.

He says they have concerns and deserve to be listened to.

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11:55 p.m.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she’s pleased to see the early results in the referendum on separation.

She says Albertans have shown widespread support for keeping the province in Canada.

And she says they have voted for a stronger Alberta in a united Canada.

She says she’ll address the results of all 10 referendum questions, and where the province goes from here, in a televised address on Tuesday night.

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11:30 p.m.

Albertans have voted to reject a referendum on separation.

With just over one million votes counted, or one-third of eligible voters, about 76 per cent voted for the province to stay in Canada.

About 24 per cent voted for a second, binding referendum on leaving the country.

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11 p.m.

Albertans are anxiously waiting for results in the vote on whether the province should stay in Canada.

The last polling station was set to close just after 10 p.m.

However, Elections Alberta says one is still open outside Calgary.

It says it’s waiting on confirmation that all voting locations are closed.

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10:20 p.m.

Before most polls closed, a voice in Premier Danielle Smith’s caucus calling for a separation referendum announced he won’t run for re-election next year.

Jason Stephan says on social media that eight years as a legislature member is enough and that he did his best to speak the truth.

He says Canada continues to badly lag behind other developed countries.

Stephan represents the riding of Red Deer South for the United Conservative Party.

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10:10 p.m.

All polls are now closed in Alberta’s separation referendum.

Most polling stations closed two hours earlier at 8 p.m.

About 100 out of the 1,400 stayed open late because they didn’t open on time in the morning due to various issues.

Elections Alberta says voting results can start being reported.

About 1.3 million voters cast ballots by mail or at advance polls.


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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 19, 2026.

The Canadian Press