Alberta separation referendum sees 70.4 per cent voter turnout

Alberta's historic referendum on provincial separation recorded a voter turnout of 70.4 per cent, according to official results from Elections Alberta. This represents the highest turnout for a provincewide vote since at least 1975.

The referendum included 10 questions. Three-quarters of voters chose to remain in Canada rather than proceed to a second, binding referendum on separation. Regarding the other nine questions, voters approved changes to provincial immigration policies but rejected proposals for the province to take more action to seize power from the federal government.

Financial disclosures indicate that 28 registered third-party advertisers raised a combined $2.05 million ahead of the October 19 vote. The separatist organization Let Alberta Decide was the largest fundraiser, reporting $581,780 in contributions. Other significant contributors included Alberta’s Voice, the Forever-Canadian Citizens Initiative Society, and Vote to Stay. The Alberta government also conducted its own advertising campaign, initially described as a $4-million effort.