Premier of oil-rich Alberta proposes referendum on separation from Canada

The premier of Canada’s oil-rich province of Alberta said Monday she would hold a referendum on separation from Canada next year if a citizen-led petition reaches the required number of signatures.

Speaking on a livestream address, Danielle Smith said she personally does not support the province leaving Canada and expressed hope of a “path forward” for a strong and sovereign Alberta within a united Canada.

“Should Ottawa, for whatever reason, continue to attack our province as they have done over the last decade, ultimately that will be for Albertans to decide,” she said. “I will accept their judgment.”

Smith’s announcement comes just one week after Prime Minister Mark Carney led the Liberal Party to a fourth consecutive federal government. It also comes as US President Donald Trump continued to threaten Canada with tariffs and talk of the country becoming the 51st state.

Carney and Trump were scheduled to meet in the White House Tuesday.