Alberta to Hold Separatist Referendum This Fall

EDMONTON - Albertans will vote on whether the province should remain a part of Canada when they head to the polls this fall.

They will also decide if a second referendum on Alberta's independence should happen in the future. Premier Danielle Smith says her government is putting a new question on an October 19 provincial referendum that covers sentiments of both the successful pro-federalist Forever Canadian petition and the struck-down Stay Free Alberta separation petition.

Smith says the question is a way to hear from Albertans on both sides of the separation debate while abiding by a legally binding court decision that ruled a previous separatist question unconstitutional. Earlier this month, a judge struck down Stay Free Alberta's petition because the group failed to consult First Nations.

In a televised address Thursday evening, Smith said "I want to be clear. I support Alberta remaining in Canada. That is how I would vote on separation in a provincial referendum. It is also the position of my government, and my caucus. However, despite my personal support.. I am deeply troubled by an erroneous court decision that interferes with the democratic rights of hundreds of thousands of Albertans."

Smith said a referendum to vote for another referendum will allow her government to take the legal steps toward a second separation vote without falling under the recent court ruling. The outcome of the fall vote will not trigger separation, she added.

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