Alberta voters have overwhelmingly rejected a proposal to start a legal process toward a future separation referendum, with early results showing about 76% backed the province staying in Canada.
The October 19 ballot did not ask voters to make Alberta independent. Instead, it asked whether Alberta should stay in Canada or move toward a later separation vote whose result would be legally binding. More than 1.5 million votes had been counted by early Tuesday.
Unofficial results showed that about 24% supported starting that process. The result gives Prime Minister Mark Carney and supporters of Canadian unity a clear political win. However, the count was still preliminary.
Carney welcomed the result and said Albertans had chosen unity. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said the early numbers showed support for a stronger province within a united Canada. Separatist advocates have argued that federal policies limit Alberta’s ability to benefit from its energy wealth.
They have also argued that the province should have more control over its affairs. Although separatist campaigners lost this vote, they said their movement would continue. They also said their complaints about Ottawa would persist.
Voting delays at some polling places pushed results into Tuesday. The final verified tally had not yet been released.