Alberta to hold referendum on whether to remain in Canada

Alberta will hold a referendum on whether the province should remain in Canada or move ahead with a second binding vote on separation, marking the first significant test of the country's unity in decades.

Thursday's announcement by Premier Danielle Smith comes after a citizen-led petition calling for separation gathered more than 300,000 signatures early this year and a separate petition advocating for Alberta to stay gathered more than 400,000.

A restive independence movement has been growing in the oil-rich province, built on a long-held sense that Alberta is overlooked by decision-makers in Ottawa.

Still, opinion polls suggest that the majority of Albertans would vote against separating.

The provincial referendum has been scheduled for 19 October, the premier said.

Smith, in a televised address, said the question being put to Albertans this coming autumn will be be: "Should Alberta remain a province of 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?"

The premier said she herself will vote in favour of Alberta remaining a part of Canada.

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