The 51st state? Alberta set to vote on whether to pursue separation from Canada – explainer

The Canadian province of Alberta is set to hold a referendum on October 19 to decide whether to remain a province of Canada or begin the legal process for a binding provincial referendum on separation. This vote marks the first time a Canadian province outside Quebec has put the question of separation to the public. While Premier Danielle Smith supports a unified Canada, she announced the vote after a petition from the Alberta Prosperity Project, despite a judge initially blocking it due to a lack of consultation with indigenous populations. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has called the referendum a “dangerous bluff,” drawing parallels to Brexit and stating, “In these separation issues, it's often advanced that, 'Vote for this, and it's a free option; vote for this, and we will strengthen our hand in future negotiation.' That is a very dangerous bluff.” Current polls indicate that 72% of Albertans prefer to remain in Canada.