Alberta voters reject move toward independence from Canada

Alberta voters decisively rejected a proposal to begin a process toward separation from Canada, according to unofficial results released Tuesday.

With more than 1.8 million valid votes counted, about 76% supported remaining in Canada and 24% backed starting the constitutional process required to hold a future binding referendum on independence, Elections Alberta results showed. Monday’s referendum was nonbinding and was not itself a direct vote to leave Canada.

Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomed the result, saying Albertans had made a “clear choice” for unity. He said Canada could now move forward on priorities including trade diversification, infrastructure and energy development. The vote came amid a trade dispute with the United States and repeated annexation remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who opposes independence but called the referendum after pressure from separatists within her governing United Conservative Party, said voters had chosen “a stronger Alberta in a united Canada.”

Separatist leaders said the defeat would not end their campaign. Keith Wilson, a leader of the movement, said the preliminary totals showed that roughly a quarter of voters believed Alberta needed better treatment.

The referendum followed a petition campaign that organizers said collected more than 300,000 signatures. Alberta’s separatist movement has drawn support from grievances over federal energy and climate policies, provincial powers and the distribution of resource revenue.