Alberta independence vote headed for rejection, CBC reports
In short
Alberta, in western Canada, held a referendum on 19 October on whether to start procedures toward independence. Public broadcaster CBC reported that the remain side was set to win, and Jiji Press cited a preliminary count of about 76% for staying in Canada. Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomed the result.
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Alberta, in western Canada, held a referendum on 19 October on whether to start legal procedures toward independence from Canada. Jiji Press reported that after voting closed, public broadcaster CBC said the proposal was set to be rejected, and that a preliminary count showed about 76% in favour of staying in Canada. Nikkei said CBC reported the remain side's win as certain, based on its own research, in the early hours of 20 October US Eastern time. NHK, citing the public broadcaster, said remain support was set to be the majority. [ 3 , 5 , 6 ]
Prime Minister Mark Carney issued a statement in the early hours of 20 October saying that Albertans had chosen Canada. Jiji Press quoted him as saying they had made a clear choice to unite and support one another, and he welcomed the result. [ 3 ]
The vote has no legal binding force. According to Sankei, it asked whether to move to legal procedures toward a binding vote, and consisted of 10 questions, including some on accepting immigrants. TBS said that even if yes votes outnumbered no votes, another referendum on independence would be held. [ 1 , 2 ]
TBS described Alberta as a province of about 5 million people with some of the world's largest oil resources, where growing complaints that the profits are taken by the federal government led to the submission of signatures seeking a referendum. Sankei said there is discontent that the federal government is not doing enough to export oil to Asia and elsewhere, while Jiji Press said some in the province complained that federal energy policy hindered the oil industry. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Polls before the vote put support for independence at around 30%, according to Sankei, and at 20% to 30%, according to TBS. TBS said supporters were seen as aiming to win concessions from the federal government on resource development and budgets. Sankei reported that Carney said on 15 October in Calgary that the referendum came at the worst time, warning that it would divide the country amid growing trade friction with the United States and US President Donald Trump's claim that Canada should become the 51st US state. TBS quoted him as saying it was time to unite. Jiji Press said debate over independence is expected to continue. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The result points to Alberta staying in Canada, though Jiji Press said debate over independence is expected to continue. Japanese outlets tied the vote to discontent over the federal government's handling of oil resources.
Key facts
- Alberta held a referendum on 19 October on whether to proceed with legal procedures toward independence from Canada. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The vote is not legally binding; it asks whether to move to legal procedures for a binding vote. [ 1 , 2 ]
- CBC reported that the proposal was set to be rejected; Jiji Press said a preliminary count showed about 76% for remaining in Canada. [ 3 , 5 , 6 ]
- Prime Minister Carney said in a statement early on 20 October that Albertans had chosen Canada. [ 3 ]
- Polls before the vote put support for independence at around 30% (Sankei) or 20% to 30% (TBS). [ 1 , 2 ]
- Outlets cite discontent in Alberta over the federal government's handling of the province's oil resources. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- The final official result is not given in the documents. Outlets relay CBC's projection and a preliminary count, not a final tally.
- How far independence debate will continue. Only Jiji Press says discussion is expected to continue.
- Level of pre-vote support for independence. Sankei says around 30%; TBS says 20% to 30%.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Sankei Shimbun reported that the referendum began on 19 October, with results expected as early as that night. [ 1 ]
- TBS reported that the vote had begun and that polls showed 20% to 30% support for starting independence procedures. [ 2 ]
- Jiji Press reported that CBC said the proposal was set to be rejected, with about 76% for staying in Canada, and that Carney had issued a statement. [ 3 ]
- NHK reported that remain support was set to be the majority, according to the public broadcaster. [ 5 ]
- Nikkei reported on 21 October that the remain side's win was certain, according to CBC. [ 6 ]