Alberta separatists claim enough signatures to trigger independence referendum

Organizers with Stay Free Alberta say they have collected more than the required 177,732 signatures needed under Alberta’s Citizen Initiative Act to force a referendum on whether the province should separate from Canada. The Alberta Prosperity Project announced on Tuesday that the threshold was met well ahead of the May 2 deadline. Signatures must still be verified by Elections Alberta. If validated, October 2026 ballots for national elections could include the question “Do you agree that the province of Alberta should cease to be a part of Canada to become an independent state?” Most analysts believe Alberta has virtually no chance of seceding this year; nevertheless, the strength of the movement highlights the deep societal and political divisions within Canada.