CTV News is your Alberta Referendum headquarters. Live results. Expert analysis. Everything you need to know is here.
Voting is now underway in the Alberta referendum as people head to the polls to answer 10 questions, including whether the province should stay in Canada or have another vote to separate.
More than one million people have already voted via mail-in ballots and advance voting, and polls will stay open until 8 p.m. MT / 10 p.m. ET.
The first five questions ask about immigrants to Alberta and their access to health care, education and citizenship.
The next four ask about Alberta’s constitutional and judicial power in the country.
The final question asks if the province should stay in Canada or hold a second, binding referendum on separating.
Elections Alberta will begin to count mail-in ballots and advance votes at 5 p.m. local time, and it will begin to announce results when polls close.
Results for Question 10, or the separation question, are expected to be announced between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m. local time on Tuesday, Elections Alberta said.
From first ballot to final count, CTV News is tracking every referendum question with live results, verified facts, real-time updates, expert analysis and reporting from communities across Alberta. Follow along as the numbers roll in and the province’s decisions take shape. Alberta decides. CTV News delivers.
The latest results, developments and analysis.
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‘Playing with fire’: Former deputy premier
A former Progressive Conservative deputy Alberta premier said the referendum has already sent a clear message to Ottawa.
“This referendum comes at the worst time possible, compliments of Premier Danielle Smith,” Thomas Lukaszuk, who founded the Forever Canadian petition, told CTV News Channel on Monday.
Lukaszuk said Ottawa has heard Alberta’s grievances and is working to strengthen the relationship. Prime Minister Mark Carney has visited Alberta more during the last 18 months than the last two prime ministers did combined, he said.
“Your message has already been sent,” he said to those who wanted to use their vote to signal grievances with Ottawa.
“Be careful because you’re also sending a message to investors at a time when we need a lot of investment in this province for some of the major nation-building projects that are being announced,” he said.
“We’re playing with fire, because we saw what happens with sending messages through a ballot during Brexit.”
“This referendum comes at the worst time possible, compliments of Premier Danielle Smith,” Thomas Lukaszuk, who founded the Forever Canadian petition, told CTV News Channel on Monday.
Lukaszuk said Ottawa has heard Alberta’s grievances and is working to strengthen the relationship. Prime Minister Mark Carney has visited Alberta more during the last 18 months than the last two prime ministers did combined, he said.
“Your message has already been sent,” he said to those who wanted to use their vote to signal grievances with Ottawa.
“Be careful because you’re also sending a message to investors at a time when we need a lot of investment in this province for some of the major nation-building projects that are being announced,” he said.
“We’re playing with fire, because we saw what happens with sending messages through a ballot during Brexit.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney, centre left, volunteer Fran Milburn, centre, and Forever Canadian founder Thomas Lukaszuk, centre right, pose for a group photo with volunteers following a cabinet retreat in Banff, Alta., Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Albertans ‘frustrated’ over separation debate: former premier
Former Alberta premier Rachel Notley, who led the Alberta NDP, says she is cautiously optimistic that Albertans will vote to remain a part of Canada.
“I think Albertans are frustrated that we’ve been dragged into this situation,” she said in an interview with CTV News Channel on Monday.
Notley added that most Albertans understand the uncertainties caused by the situation, including the ones that affect business in the province.
She also noted that the situation has caused an unnecessary division among people.
“A strong majority of Albertans are proud Canadians and want to remain in Canada,” she said.
The former premier said it is the same case in most other Canadian provinces.
Notley blamed “a dysfunctional governing party and a premier that has done everything she can to enable this question,” for Alberta’s current situation.
“I think Albertans are frustrated that we’ve been dragged into this situation,” she said in an interview with CTV News Channel on Monday.
Notley added that most Albertans understand the uncertainties caused by the situation, including the ones that affect business in the province.
She also noted that the situation has caused an unnecessary division among people.
“A strong majority of Albertans are proud Canadians and want to remain in Canada,” she said.
The former premier said it is the same case in most other Canadian provinces.
Notley blamed “a dysfunctional governing party and a premier that has done everything she can to enable this question,” for Alberta’s current situation.
Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley announces she is stepping down from her position, in Edmonton on Tuesday January 16, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
Smith's referendum vote ironic: leader
The co-chair of an Alberta independence group says she was "surprised" Premier Danielle Smith had decided to "campaign against" the province separating from Canada.
"I was surprised when she took an adversarial position against the independence movement, which was a large portion of her base, and then began to kind of actively campaign against the independence movement," Tanya Clemens, co-chair of "Let Alberta Decide,” said in an interview with CTV News Channel on Monday.
"I believe that a leader of that level especially should stay neutral and wait for a mandate from the people, which is what the referendum delivers.”
Although Smith had urged Albertans to support the other nine questions on the referendum ballot, she said she voted for the province to stay in Canada last week and encouraged others to follow suit.
Clemens said there’s “irony” in Smith’s actions, noting that the movement was trying to empower Smith to "have leverage and negotiating strength" in talks with Ottawa.
"I was surprised when she took an adversarial position against the independence movement, which was a large portion of her base, and then began to kind of actively campaign against the independence movement," Tanya Clemens, co-chair of "Let Alberta Decide,” said in an interview with CTV News Channel on Monday.
"I believe that a leader of that level especially should stay neutral and wait for a mandate from the people, which is what the referendum delivers.”
Although Smith had urged Albertans to support the other nine questions on the referendum ballot, she said she voted for the province to stay in Canada last week and encouraged others to follow suit.
Clemens said there’s “irony” in Smith’s actions, noting that the movement was trying to empower Smith to "have leverage and negotiating strength" in talks with Ottawa.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith speaks during a news conference in Calgary on May 22, 2026. Jeff McIntosh / The Canadian Press
Separatists and federalists united against Smith
A former Progressive Conservative Alberta MLA said that Premier Danielle Smith has “painted herself into a corner.”
Speaking to CTV News Channel on Monday, Brent Rathgeber, a federalist who co-manages the Forever Canadian petition, said Smith’s referendum has united separatists and federalists against her.
“I don’t think there’s going to be a clear decisive winner or loser,” he said. “I know the premier very much wants a ‘Yes’ mandate with respect to those nine questions, I think she’ll be disappointed.”
He called Smith “too clever by half.”
“She thought that she could give the separatists this referendum, allow them a safety valve, blow off some steam, it would lose and that she would maintain their confidence, but it's backfired on her.”
Smith has managed to do something Rathgeber thought was “unthinkable” a year ago, he explained.
“She’s united separatists and federalists, like myself, in unity with respect to wanting somebody different in the premier’s chair.”
Speaking to CTV News Channel on Monday, Brent Rathgeber, a federalist who co-manages the Forever Canadian petition, said Smith’s referendum has united separatists and federalists against her.
“I don’t think there’s going to be a clear decisive winner or loser,” he said. “I know the premier very much wants a ‘Yes’ mandate with respect to those nine questions, I think she’ll be disappointed.”
He called Smith “too clever by half.”
“She thought that she could give the separatists this referendum, allow them a safety valve, blow off some steam, it would lose and that she would maintain their confidence, but it's backfired on her.”
Smith has managed to do something Rathgeber thought was “unthinkable” a year ago, he explained.
“She’s united separatists and federalists, like myself, in unity with respect to wanting somebody different in the premier’s chair.”
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith speaks at the Canada Strong and Free conference in Calgary, Friday, Oct. 16, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Next steps for the separatist movement?
With the separatist movement gaining momentum over the past couple of months, Jason Kenney, a former Alberta premier and federal Conservative cabinet minister, shared his prediction for what could happen if Albertans choose not to proceed with a binding referendum.
Kenney said the various separatist organizations have never “really agreed on a particular approach, strategy or message” and could therefore take different paths after the decision.
“I am concerned that if there is such a thing as moderate separatists, the folks who are more plugged into political reality, (they) will say, ‘OK, we had our shot, this is over, let's move on, let's fight for a stronger Alberta and Canada,’” he told CTV News Channel on Monday.
However, Kenney says “hardcore” separatists, including groups like the Alberta Prosperity Project, will likely not “let down.”
He says the Alberta Prosperity Project will continue the debate at the United Conservative Party convention in November, where it has a motion to turn the party into an officially separatist party.
Kenney said the various separatist organizations have never “really agreed on a particular approach, strategy or message” and could therefore take different paths after the decision.
“I am concerned that if there is such a thing as moderate separatists, the folks who are more plugged into political reality, (they) will say, ‘OK, we had our shot, this is over, let's move on, let's fight for a stronger Alberta and Canada,’” he told CTV News Channel on Monday.
However, Kenney says “hardcore” separatists, including groups like the Alberta Prosperity Project, will likely not “let down.”
He says the Alberta Prosperity Project will continue the debate at the United Conservative Party convention in November, where it has a motion to turn the party into an officially separatist party.
A demonstrator holds a Choose Alberta sign during an Alberta independence rally in Taber, Alta., on Sunday, June 28, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Matthew Bruce
Calgarians stress importance of voting
Calgarians weighed in on the importance of voting as they left polls Monday.
"This is a turning point in Canada's history. It's a major decision to think about a divorce or a reconciliation, but something has to happen. Something has to change," said one voter.
One voter brought her kids along to learn more about the voting process to help teach them about democracy.
"It's very important for them to see that. We have a right here in our country to vote, and it's very important to exercise that," she said. "I'm a proud Albertans and I'm proud to vote today."
Another voter said it was important for her as an Albertan and Canadian to vote for unity, though she questioned the need for a referendum right now.
"I think some of the questions were interesting, and certainly it's worth getting a view for some Albertans to be able to say what they think and feel," she added.
"[But] they shouldn't have called an extra election and paid more money for us to get these questions answered. If you want those questions answered, it should have been done at the same time that perhaps we were voting for a new premier."
"[But] they shouldn't have called an extra election and paid more money for us to get these questions answered. If you want those questions answered, it should have been done at the same time that perhaps we were voting for a new premier."
Some mail-in voters hitting polls
The line outside a St. Albert polling station included at least one voter who had tried to vote by mail.
Al Carlson said he put his special ballot package in the mail back to Elections Alberta weeks ago, but it was never marked as received.
"I've been trying online all week long, checking to make sure that the thing was received, but nothing showed up," Carlson said.
"I'm here to make sure that my ballot gets cast."
What will the vote look like?
A former New Democratic Party leader said he believes Albertans will vote against breaking up Canada.
Albertans are “looking at what’s actually on the table,” said Tom Mulcair, CTV News' political commentator.
They see the referendum as a debate about breaking up Canada, rather than a political “message,” he added.
Mulcair said that the message from senior political leaders who want a “no” vote “went through.”
“The more votes expressed against this very bad idea, the better it is,” he told CTV News Channel on Monday.
However, he warned against dismissing pro-separatists, based on past experience.
“Be careful with language. Show respect,” he said. “It has to do with grievances of the past.”
Albertans are “looking at what’s actually on the table,” said Tom Mulcair, CTV News' political commentator.
They see the referendum as a debate about breaking up Canada, rather than a political “message,” he added.
Mulcair said that the message from senior political leaders who want a “no” vote “went through.”
“The more votes expressed against this very bad idea, the better it is,” he told CTV News Channel on Monday.
However, he warned against dismissing pro-separatists, based on past experience.
“Be careful with language. Show respect,” he said. “It has to do with grievances of the past.”
Carney addresses Parliament following CFB Wainwright tragedy
On referendum day, Prime Minister Mark Carney was back in Ottawa to address the House of Commons following the tragedy at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, saying it “touches every corner of our nation.”
A fire left four Canadian Armed Forces members dead and dozens more wounded over the weekend.
Carney made the remarks Monday morning after MPs observed a moment of silence.
“These were sons, brothers, partners, friends, young men with bright futures who chose to serve our country and who died in that cause,” Carney said. “We will honour them always.”
“When people see the maple leaf on the sleeve, they see hope and they get help,” he also said. “The soldiers who were training at Wainwright on Saturday belong to that proud tradition.”
Carney said 50 investigators are on the ground working alongside the RCMP to determine the cause of the fire. He said the ministers of national defence and emergency management are also in Alberta to co-ordinate with their provincial counterparts.
“I would like to thank (Alberta) Premier (Danielle) Smith and the government of Alberta for their seamless partnership,” Carney said. “Alberta's health workers are carrying an enormous load with extraordinary dedication, professionalism, and skill.”
The House has adjourned for the rest of the day to mark the tragedy.
Spencer Van Dyk, CTVNews.ca, Journalist
Prime Minister Mark Carney is applauded after delivering a statement about the incident at CFB Wainwright as he rises in the House of Commons in Ottawa, Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. . THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Separating not an ‘effective’ strategy: economist
An economist at the University of Calgary says the province separating from Canada is not a “very effective economic development strategy.”
Trevor Tombe says the economic and fiscal frustrations of Albertans have fuelled the desire for separation, however, separating is likely to create more obstacles for the province.
“Alberta leaving Confederation is not something that would actually improve Alberta's economy or finances,” Tombe told CTV News Channel on Monday.
While the province may appear to gain money by keeping taxes that currently go to Ottawa, Tombe says the additional costs of operating as an independent country could wipe out those savings.
Tombe cited the conundrum of whether Alberta will use its own currency or adopt the Canadian dollar, as well as how trade to the U.S. and the rest of Canada will affect Alberta's economy.
“Setting up a new national border between Alberta and what are now other provinces of Canada would add friction and costs to a lot of those trade transactions,” Tombe said.
Trevor Tombe says the economic and fiscal frustrations of Albertans have fuelled the desire for separation, however, separating is likely to create more obstacles for the province.
“Alberta leaving Confederation is not something that would actually improve Alberta's economy or finances,” Tombe told CTV News Channel on Monday.
While the province may appear to gain money by keeping taxes that currently go to Ottawa, Tombe says the additional costs of operating as an independent country could wipe out those savings.
Tombe cited the conundrum of whether Alberta will use its own currency or adopt the Canadian dollar, as well as how trade to the U.S. and the rest of Canada will affect Alberta's economy.
“Setting up a new national border between Alberta and what are now other provinces of Canada would add friction and costs to a lot of those trade transactions,” Tombe said.
Trainee pipe fitters learn their trade at a union facility in Calgary, Friday, May 15, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Polls open, some with queues
More than 1,400 polling stations in Alberta opened for voting at 9 a.m.
Dozens of people were in line to vote at St. Albert United Church northwest of Edmonton at 8:45 a.m. Those queued up told CTV News Edmonton their mail-in ballot was not received in time, they are not computer savvy, or that they tried to vote at advance polls but the lines were too long.
Dozens of people were in line to vote at St. Albert United Church northwest of Edmonton at 8:45 a.m. Those queued up told CTV News Edmonton their mail-in ballot was not received in time, they are not computer savvy, or that they tried to vote at advance polls but the lines were too long.
People were queued to vote in Alberta's referendum at the St. Albert United Church before the polling station opened the morning of Oct. 19, 2026. . (Nicole Lampa / CTV News Edmonton)
Final federal campaign pushes
Carney and Poilievre wrapped pro-Canada tours in Alberta days before Monday’s referendum.
Carney leveraged his Edmonton roots during his speech in the capital city Friday evening.
“A vote against Canada is a dangerous bluff that will lead to years of deep uncertainty and lost opportunities for Albertans and Canadians,” he told a crowd of thousands. “Our country and your futures are too precious to play games with.”
Poilievre, similarly, told Albertans they were “not quitters.”
“To those people who are thinking about taking out their frustration on the current government by voting for separation in the referendum, I say this: Canada is more than a government. It is a people, a flag, a land, a history and a promise.”
Surface-level tensions between Carney and Smith still lay in the other nine questions – to which Smith wants a mandate of “yes” from Albertans where the prime minister urged a “no.”
How did Alberta get here?
Discontent with Ottawa has ebbed and flowed, reignited once again in 2019 under United Conservative Party Premier Jason Kenney.
He held a referendum in 2021 wherein oil-rich Albertans called to end equalization payments – federal tax revenues distributed through the provinces and territories. Nothing concrete came of it.
Despite Kenney’s succession by Danielle Smith, who has advertised a more tempered take on Ottawa, separation was thrown into the limelight once again when the Alberta Prosperity Project began its “Stay Free Alberta” petition earlier this year.
That petition gathered enough signatures to call a referendum but was shot down in court for being unconstitutional.
A counter-petition by anti-separation group Forever Canadian around the same time was successful – after much debate – hence the double-sided Question 10 that Albertans vote on today.
Sending a 'message' to Ottawa?
Using the separation question to send a “message” to Ottawa about Albertans’ frustrations is “very dangerous,” an Alberta anti-separatist said.
If that’s what some Albertans are trying to do, Thomas Lukaszuk, founder of pro-unity group Forever Canadian, told CTV’s Your Morning on Monday that “it has already been heard.”
“But keep in mind that you’re also sending that very same message to investors, to the capital that Alberta needs so badly to build the pipelines and refineries that we need,” he said.
“The message is don’t invest in Alberta because we are unstable at this point.”
Forever Canada leader Thomas Lukaszuk gives a speech during a pro-Canada rally in Edmonton, on Sunday, Oct, 18, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Timon Johnson
Referendum is ‘utter nonsense’: First Nations chief
By adding a separation question to the referendum, the Alberta premier has shown First Nations that “she completely disregards the law,” one chief says.
“To have a referendum is utter nonsense,” Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation Chief Sheldon Sunshine told CTV’s Your Morning on Monday.
He said he hasn’t seen any outreach from anyone on what the aftermath could look like.
“It’s been talk. It’s been rhetoric,” he said. “I haven’t seen anything tangible that would benefit anyone.”
Sunshine suggested focusing a referendum on issues with "serious impacts," such as health care, education and data centres.
“Yet, we get a lot of questions on immigrants,” he said.
“... It’s just a smokescreen.”
“To have a referendum is utter nonsense,” Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation Chief Sheldon Sunshine told CTV’s Your Morning on Monday.
He said he hasn’t seen any outreach from anyone on what the aftermath could look like.
“It’s been talk. It’s been rhetoric,” he said. “I haven’t seen anything tangible that would benefit anyone.”
Sunshine suggested focusing a referendum on issues with "serious impacts," such as health care, education and data centres.
“Yet, we get a lot of questions on immigrants,” he said.
“... It’s just a smokescreen.”
Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation Chief Sheldon Sunshine speaks outside the Edmonton law courts in Edmonton, Tuesday, April 7, 2026. The nation is challenging the constitutionality of Alberta's citizen-initiated referendum process in the wake of the separatist movement brewing in the province and its attempt to try and force a vote on having Alberta quit Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jack Farrell
Effect of Carney’s election win?
Prime Minister Mark Carney's win in last year's federal election appears to have been the “fundamental trigger” behind the separation movement’s resurgence, a political expert in Alberta says.
“There’s a partisan element to it,” said Duane Bratt, political science professor at Mount Royal University in Calgary, told CTV’s Your Morning on Monday.
“Separatism tends to be stronger when the Liberals are in office” in Ottawa, he said.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has also acted more sympathetically towards the movement than her predecessors, he added.
“Other premiers would fight Ottawa ... but no one would have made the legal changes necessary for the separatist movement like Danielle Smith has.”
“There’s a partisan element to it,” said Duane Bratt, political science professor at Mount Royal University in Calgary, told CTV’s Your Morning on Monday.
“Separatism tends to be stronger when the Liberals are in office” in Ottawa, he said.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has also acted more sympathetically towards the movement than her predecessors, he added.
“Other premiers would fight Ottawa ... but no one would have made the legal changes necessary for the separatist movement like Danielle Smith has.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney attends a national unity rally in Red Deer, and signs an autograph on Friday Oct. 16, 2026.THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Ulan
The 10 questions
Smith told the province that “out-of-control” immigration levels and tensions between Alberta and Ottawa meant her government needed a mandate from the people on how best to proceed.
The first five questions ask about immigrants to Alberta and their access to health care, education and citizenship.
The next four ask about Alberta’s constitutional and judicial power in the country.
The final question, added months later, asks if the province should stay in Canada or hold a second, binding referendum on separating.
The first nine questions were subject to debate on the legality, morality and feasibility of changes Smith’s government was proposing.
When you hear “yes to the rest” or “no to the nine,” those are the questions the slogans are referring to.
More than 1.3M votes counted: Elections Alberta
More than a third of Alberta voters have cast their ballots through the mail or at advance polls.
As of Sunday afternoon, 837,791 people voted at advanced polls and 519,082 sent their vote by mail, for a total of 1,356,873 votes, Elections Alberta said.
There are 3,148,343 eligible voters.
In the 2023 provincial election, only 27.5 per cent of eligible voters participated in advanced polls or mail-in voting. For the referendum, 43.1 per cent of eligible voters did advanced voting or voted by special ballot.
Alberta’s Election Day is here
It’s Election Day in Alberta for a historic referendum that asks a number of questions, including whether the province should stay in Canada.
All voting locations will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. MT.
Albertans must go to the assigned location on their “where to vote” card. Elections Alberta will also have all poll stations organized by address on its website.
Monday is the culmination of five days of advance voting the week prior and a provincially record-breaking number of mailed-in ballots.
By law, votes for all 10 ballots must be counted by hand within 48 hours. Officials have said to expect early results released after 8 p.m. MT, with a final count for Question 10 announced in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
