Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced that the oil-rich province will hold a referendum this October. The vote will ask residents whether they want the province to remain in Canada or if the government should begin the legal and constitutional process toward a future binding referendum on separation from the federation.
Premier Smith clarified that the October vote will not directly decide on independence or secession. Instead, it serves as a determination on whether to start the formal process that could eventually lead to the energy-rich province leaving the country.
The move follows months of campaigning from a group of separatists. In response to the announcement, Prime Minister Mark Carney stressed Alberta's importance to Canada.