What Canadians think about Alberta separating from the country
A new poll from Research Co. asked Canadians their opinion on Alberta separation.
It found that most Canadians think the federal government should step in to prevent Alberta from separating from the rest of the country, if it comes to that.
Following the federal Liberals winning a fourth consecutive term in 2025, talks of separatism started to grow. While Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s said she doesn’t support Alberta leaving Canada, she said that those who do are people “who’ve just had enough of having their livelihoods and prosperity attacked by a hostile federal government.”
On Oct. 19, 2026, Alberta voters will participate in a non-binding referendum on immigration, the constitution, and separation.
For the latter, they will answer the question:
“Should Alberta remain a province in Canada, or should the Government of Alberta commence the legal process required under the Canadian Constitution to hold a binding provincial referendum on whether or not Alberta should separate from Canada?”
Research Co. conducted an online survey between July 20 and July 22, 2026, polling just over one thousand adults in Canada to gauge public opinion on Alberta separation.
The survey asked respondents if (following the non-binding referendum) they think Alberta voters will hold a binding provincial referendum on whether or not Alberta should separate from Canada.
“Canadians are divided on whether voters in Alberta will choose to hold a binding provincial referendum on separation from Canada,” reads the press release.
Forty per cent of Canadians think it’s likely that voters in Alberta will choose to hold a binding referendum, and 41 per cent think it isn’t likely that they’ll do so.
However, 50 per cent of Albertan respondents “expect voters to compel a binding independence referendum at a later date, while 30 per cent do not expect this scenario to materialize.”
The majority of Canadians, however, do want to let an Alberta separation materialize.
Research Co. asked respondents if they think that the federal government should step in and prevent Alberta’s separation from happening, if a binding provincial referendum were to be held.
“Only 28 per cent of Canadians — and 32 per cent of Albertans — think the Government of Canada should ultimately allow Alberta’s separation to happen,” reads the press release.
“More than seven-in-ten Canadians who voted for the Liberal Party in 2025 would welcome federal intervention to stop Alberta’s separation,” said Mario Canseco, president of Research Co., in the release.
“They are joined by majorities of voters who backed the Conservative Party (56 per cent) or the New Democratic Party (NDP) (also 56 per cent) in the last federal election.”
In May of this year, Angus Reid conducted a poll where it found that 60 per cent of Albertans said they would vote no on the separation referendum question, and 35 per cent said they would vote yes.