For decades, Alberta separatism was a fringe cause EDMONTON, Alberta -- For decades, Alberta separatism was a fringe cause. On Monday, voters in Canada’s oil heartland will decide whether to take the first step toward a referendum on leaving the country. Alberta, home to the world’s fourth-largest proven oil reserves, is not voting to leave Canada on Oct. 19.
Instead, voters will decide whether the province should remain in Canada or begin the legal process toward a future referendum on separation. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who called the vote but supports remaining in Canada, has said that support for starting the separation process, which was around 23% in a recent poll, is “still too high for my liking.” Alberta has long feuded with the federal government over oil and federal power. Liberal prime ministers Pierre Trudeau and, decades later, his son Justin became deeply unpopular in the province over energy policy.
Justin Trudeau’s government imposed a national carbon tax and other climate measures that Alberta leaders said hurt its oil industry. Yet separatist parties typically drew only 1% or 2% of the vote, former Alberta Premier Jason Kenney said. Then came the pandemic and the Freedom Convoy, which paralyzed parts of Ottawa, the Canadian capital, and blocked major Canada-U.S. border crossings.
The 2022 Freedom Convoy began over vaccine requirements for cross-border truckers but grew into a broader revolt against pandemic restrictions. Kenney said people mobilized over anger at globalization, vaccines and pandemic restrictions, while social media allowed previously isolated activists to find one another and organize. Kenney said the movement also became more professional, building organizations, raising money and drawing in political operatives with campaign and fundraising experience.
He also sees substantial overlap between separatist activists and people who support Russian President Vladimir Putin or believe conspiracy theories about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Kenney stressed he was describing activists, not typical separation voters, whom he characterized as frustrated Albertans sending Ottawa a message. Kenney said the MAGA movement has been “inspirational” for some separatist activists.
He said they “tried to infiltrate with at least some success” the United Conservative Party he founded. Smith replaced Kenney in 2022 after appealing to United Conservative Party members angry over COVID-19 restrictions. His more business- and energy-friendly policies, along with his opposition to U.S.
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