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Drudge Retort: The Other Side of the News
Wednesday, May 06, 2026

Alberta separatists said Monday they have formally submitted almost 302,000 signatures to try to trigger a referendum on the province leaving Canada.

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Alberta separatists have submitted nearly 302,000 signatures to trigger a referendum on leaving Canada. The group needed 178,000 signatures to force the province to consider the vote.

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-- The Associated Press (@apnews.com) May 4, 2026 at 9:00 PM

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... The question of separation could go on a provincewide ballot as early as October, as Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has said she would move forward if enough names are gathered and verified. Smith has said she personally does not support the oil-rich province leaving Canada.

A "yes" vote would not trigger independence automatically. Negotiations with the federal government would have to take place and Daniel Bland, a political science professor at McGill University in Montreal, said some Indigenous groups who are already using the courts to prevent an independence referendum would use venues including the courts to stop independence from happening. ...

#1 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-05-05 10:34 PM | Reply

Well, let the voters decide. I'll be there next week, should be interesting.

#2 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2026-05-05 10:39 PM | Reply

I'm in Alberta right now. I doubt this is going anywhere.

#3 | Posted by REDIAL at 2026-05-05 10:42 PM | Reply

@#3

Yeah, I saw an article that mentioned about a 30% approval in a vote.

But, as with our mid-terms, time will tell.

#4 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-05-05 10:54 PM | Reply

about a 30% approval in a vote

It's basically the "Freedom Convoy" crowd.

#5 | Posted by REDIAL at 2026-05-05 10:58 PM | Reply

There are so many things that really need to be discussed by the separatist crowd.

imo ... and nothing more ...

1) will NATO continue to protect Alberta should it remove itself from Canada?

2) will the border crossings between Alberta and the US change?

I could go on, but there is so much to be taken into account when a portion of a country decides that it is now a separate country.

I have to ask if the separationists have a clue about what they are asking for? Or are they too focused upon the one issue?


#6 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-05-05 11:13 PM | Reply

will NATO continue to protect Alberta

From what?

#7 | Posted by REDIAL at 2026-05-05 11:24 PM | Reply

From what?
#7 | Posted by REDIAL

canadian land acknowledgements?

#8 | Posted by oneironaut at 2026-05-05 11:26 PM | Reply

canadian land acknowledgements

Right up NATO's alley.

#9 | Posted by REDIAL at 2026-05-05 11:29 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

Why do they want to be out of Canada?

Who's driving this movement?

What will it mean?

#10 | Posted by Effeteposer at 2026-05-06 03:06 PM | Reply

1) Maybe. Would require discussions between NATO and an independent Alberta. Till that is done, NATO protection of Alberta would only consist of what's necessary to protect the rest of Canada and the USA. -- Theoretically, someone (say China or Russia - dunno, don't question, this is an unrealistic hypothetical after all) could request permission from Canada and/or USA for overflight to allow the bombing or airborne troop deployment against Alberta. Of course if it ever got to that point, Canada and/or the USA (probably with First Nations' support) would do the job themselves.

2) Procedures and some personnel would likely be changed. Actual crossing points would probably remain unchanged until addressed separately.

#11 | Posted by Rational_Inject at 2026-05-06 03:19 PM | Reply

Why do they want to be out of Canada?
Who's driving this movement?
What will it mean?
#10 | Posted by Effeteposer

Same people who brought you Brexit.
What it means is a step further towards parting out the West for scrap.

#12 | Posted by snoofy at 2026-05-06 04:14 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

I wonder if they've considered the difficulties of foreign trade, as they would become a landlocked nation.

#13 | Posted by Whatsleft at 2026-05-06 04:43 PM | Reply

#14 | Posted by C0RI0LANUS at 2026-05-06 05:18 PM | Reply

Why do they want to be out of Canada?

In a word? Oil, they think they can make more $$ using the resources that are available to them, and quit supporting the East coast socialist.

Questions is why would you want to be in Canada, GDP per Capita it ranks as the 51st State. But if Alberta is released the GDP per Capita could raise its standard of living.

The provinces in the east rank really really low.

Canada's richest province is not 'poorer than poorest' US state
factcheck.afp.com

Again Missippi seems to be outpacing the most liberal places in North America.

I wonder if they've considered the difficulties of foreign trade, as they would become a landlocked nation.

Easily, go through the US, as much of its trade (crude) is with the US, it over 88% of Alberta's exports. Major export routes include pipelines to the U.S. Midwest (PADD 2) and Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

#15 | Posted by oneironaut at 2026-05-06 05:34 PM | Reply | Funny: 1

"Again Missippi (sic) seems to be outpacing the most liberal places in North America"

You really don't live here.

#16 | Posted by Zed at 2026-05-06 05:55 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

Missippi seems to be outpacing the most liberal places in North America

Only if you're taking into account some skewed data.

Which, actually seems to be your favorite type of data.

You love gaslighting. Despite being so bad at it.

#17 | Posted by ClownShack at 2026-05-06 06:18 PM | Reply

Why do they want to be out of Canada?

They never got over Steven Harper losing the election.

#18 | Posted by REDIAL at 2026-05-06 10:23 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

Alberta is kind of the Canadian Texas. Conservative area with Lots of rednecks.

#19 | Posted by AMERICANUNITY at 2026-05-07 12:21 AM | Reply

Alberta is kind of the Canadian Texas. Conservative area with Lots of rednecks.

Pretty much. Also, outnumbered by rich brown people.

#20 | Posted by REDIAL at 2026-05-07 12:30 AM | Reply

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