Alberta separatists hold rally ahead of provincial referendum

Separatist supporters in Alberta are holding a rally outside the provincial legislature in Edmonton to mark the province’s 121st anniversary. The event, organized by the Alberta Prosperity Project, is described as a “gathering for a province in peril” and comes seven weeks before a scheduled referendum.

Premier Danielle Smith has scheduled a vote for October 19. However, the ballot will not directly ask if Alberta should leave Canada; instead, it will ask citizens whether the province should remain in Confederation or hold a second, binding referendum on separation. Smith has stated she intends to vote for the province to stay in Canada, noting that hundreds of thousands of citizens have signed petitions regarding the issue.

Separatist leader Jeffrey Rath is scheduled to speak at the rally. Rath has criticized Smith’s approach, accusing her of failing to protect Alberta’s sovereignty and misleading the public. While some activists push for a rapid binding vote, Smith has noted that provincial legislation prohibits holding a referendum within one year of a general election, which is scheduled for next October.