Alberta vote rejects independence process, partial count shows about 77% to stay

Voters in Canada's Alberta province backed staying in Canada in a vote held on 19 October on whether to start a process toward independence. According to a preliminary count from Alberta's election body cited by AP, more than 1 million ballots had been counted by 20 October and about 77% supported staying, while 23% backed starting the independence process. Reuters, quoted by Korea Economic Daily, reported that the proposal was rejected. Yonhap described it as effectively rejected. [ 7 , 8 , 10 ]

Chosun Ilbo said CBC projected a remain victory when roughly a third of ballots had been counted, with 76% to 77% for staying. A separate Chosun Ilbo item said CBC put the remain share at 76.6% with more than a third counted. Chosun Ilbo said 1.35 million of 5.1 million voters, 43%, took part in early voting; Yonhap said early voting ran from 13 to 17 October. [ 8 , 9 , 10 ]

Premier Danielle Smith said on social media that Albertans chose a stronger Alberta within a united Canada. Yonhap said Smith opposes separation but held the vote under pressure from separatists in her ruling United Conservative Party. Chosun Ilbo said the prevailing analysis was that the vote was a political gamble to placate that faction, and that Canadian media reported she was criticised by both hardline separatists and federalists in the party. Carney said Albertans made a clear choice and chose Canada. [ 8 , 10 ]

The vote did not itself decide independence. The ballot had ten questions: nine on provincial powers such as immigration and constitutional change, and a tenth on starting the independence process. Had the majority voted yes, a separate legally binding vote would have followed on whether to begin the administrative process. [ 4 , 6 , 8 , 10 ]

Before the vote, polls showed low support for independence. Angus Reid found 66% of Alberta residents opposed it, Leger found 70% wanted to keep the status quo and 22% backed starting the process, and an Ipsos poll cited by Hankook Ilbo found 23% would vote for it. A petition that prompted the vote was signed by more than 300,000 people; Alberta has about 5 million residents. [ 4 , 5 , 6 ]

Outlets cited anger at federal carbon tax and environmental policies and at the use of Alberta's tax revenue to support other provinces. Carney, speaking in Calgary on 15 October, said the vote came at the worst time and that outside forces were trying to divide Canadians. He did not name the United States, Yonhap said. Dong-A Ilbo, citing the Financial Times, reported that separatist activist Jeff Rath met State Department officials three times; the State Department said it made no promises. [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 8 , 10 ]

Earlier in October the separatist Parti Quebecois won Quebec's provincial election, and Hankook Ilbo, citing Reuters, said it plans a third independence vote. Chosun Ilbo's summary said the dispute over Alberta's independence is expected to continue for the time being. [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 9 ]