Alberta voters choose to remain in Canada, early results and CBC projection show
In short
Alberta voters chose to remain part of Canada rather than hold a binding referendum on separation, according to a CBC projection and unofficial results. Newsweek reported about 77 percent for remaining and 23 percent against, with more than one million votes counted. Prime Minister Mark Carney said Albertans and all Canadians would move forward together.
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Alberta voters chose to remain part of Canada, according to a CBC projection reported by CNN, and by Reuters in Spanish and German headlines. CNN said about three quarters of voters chose to stay in Canada and one quarter opted to hold a second vote on separation later, with roughly 45% of polls reporting early on Tuesday local time, according to unofficial results posted by the province. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
Newsweek, citing unofficial results from Elections Alberta, reported that more than one million votes had been counted and that around 77 percent supported remaining in Canada while 23 percent voted for starting the process of separation. It said the vote was not a direct independence referendum but asked Albertans whether they should remain part of Canada or hold a binding referendum on separation. [ 3 ]
Carney said in a statement posted to X early Tuesday that the vote to remain means that Albertans and all Canadians will move forward together with renewed purpose and high ambition. Thomas Lukaszuk, a former Alberta politician and founder of the pro-unity Forever Canadian movement, told a cheering crowd that the result would send a strong message to Trump: Canada is not up for grabs. [ 1 ]
Newsweek called the early results a boost for Carney, who it said has repeatedly clashed with Trump this year over his trade war and annexation threats. At a rally in Edmonton on Friday, Carney said a vote against Canada was a dangerous bluff and not a game. [ 3 ]
CNN described the independence campaign as a grassroots effort led by a handful of vocal separatists and amplified heavily online, and said some of its leaders had met members of Trump's administration. It said the vote had faced concerns of possible foreign interference after the Globe and Mail reported that Republican operatives had assisted top separatist leaders. CNN also said it was the first plebiscite of its kind in Canada since the 1995 Quebec referendum. [ 1 ]
Why it matters
CNN described the result as a definitive blow to a fringe separatist campaign that sought US support. It comes as Canada has rallied against US President Donald Trump's tariffs and annexation threats, according to CNN.
Key facts
- CBC projected that Alberta voted to remain part of Canada. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- Unofficial results from Elections Alberta showed around 77 percent for remaining in Canada and 23 percent for starting the separation process, with more than one million votes counted. [ 3 ]
- CNN reported about three quarters for staying and one quarter for a second vote on separation later, with roughly 45% of polls reporting. [ 1 ]
- The ballot asked Albertans whether to remain part of Canada or hold a binding referendum on separation, not directly on independence. [ 3 ]
- CNN said it was the first plebiscite of its kind in Canada since the 1995 Quebec referendum. [ 1 ]
- Carney said in a statement on X that Albertans and all Canadians will move forward together with renewed purpose and high ambition. [ 1 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Final result The figures are unofficial and partial; CNN said roughly 45% of polls had reported, while Newsweek said more than one million votes were counted.
- Role of US actors in the separatist campaign CNN said some separatist leaders met members of Trump's administration and cited a Globe and Mail report that Republican operatives assisted them; no document gives a response or further detail.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- CNN published its report that Alberta had rejected the secession referendum, per a CBC projection. [ 1 ]
- Reuters reported in Spanish that Alberta voted to remain part of Canada, according to CBC News. [ 2 ]
- Newsweek published early results of about 77 percent to 23 percent. [ 3 ]
- Reuters reported in German that Alberta voted to remain in Canada, citing CBC News. [ 4 ]