Alberta referendum: Separatists vow ‘we’re never giving up’ after 76% reject independence push in big win for Canada's Carney, but what's next?

Alberta referendum: Voters in Canada's Alberta have overwhelmingly rejected a proposal to begin a process towards independence in a big win for Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Out of 1.5 million votes being counted, 76% supported remaining in Canada, while others supported beginning a process toward separation, according to unofficial results from Elections Alberta. Alberta’s separatists, however, saw a silver lining and they said that the their independence movement will continue.

Before the vote, Jeff Rath, Cory Morgan and Keith Wilson told The Canadian Press the push for an independent Alberta would not end with the ballot count. The Alberta government said it expected the province to move forward within a united Canada. It was the first plebiscite of its kind in Canada since the 1995 Quebec referendum. The result marked a victory for Carney and supporters of Canadian unity, but separatist leaders hinted they would continue campaigning for greater autonomy and independence.

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What are Alberta separatists saying

According to a Reuters report, a small but vocal group of separatists has campaigned for months for an independent Alberta. Their argument is that the province’s energy wealth is ​subsidizing poorer parts of Canada and that Alberta would be far richer without Ottawa bureaucracy impeding its path. First ⁠Nations groups have also objected to the idea of an independent Alberta, as their land treaties with Ottawa predate the province’s creation within Canada.

‘We’re never giving up’ on Alberta independence, says Jeff Rath

Jeff Rath, the lawyer for a group that helped organize an independence petition, was the most defiant of the leaders. “We’re never giving up,” he said in the Sept. 17 interview. He added that the movement would not simply disband once the referendum was over.

“The logic of independence is such that we’re not going home when this is all over,” Rath said. He also asked: “Do you think we’re just going to stop advocating for a free and independent Alberta?”

Cory Morgan, an organizer with the Pathway to Independence group, said the independence movement would adapt rather than disappear. “The issue doesn’t go away, but it’ll change its approach,” he said.

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He described the movement as “a very significant movement on something that’s looking for some very serious change.”

Keith Wilson, leader of the pro-independence group Let Alberta Decide, argued that the vote would not settle the complaints driving the movement. “This vote won’t resolve what’s broken in Canada and won’t fix how Albertans are treated poorly by Ottawa, so demands for fairness will continue,” he said.

Wilson addressed supporters at a Calgary watch party after CBC News projected a win for the remain side.

What Alberta's referendum actually decided

The key question on Monday's voting paper asked: "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?"

There were 10 questions, each with its own color-coded ballot. ‌The last ballot voters see is question 10, on whether Alberta should remain a Canadian province or start the legal process required to hold a binding referendum on separation. Five of these dealt with immigration, while the other four focused on the Canadian constitution.

Mark Carney, who was largely raised in ​Alberta, has previously said “the best place for Alberta is in Canada” and that the country cannot succeed if it's divided. He released a video on Canadian Thanksgiving, October 12, saying national unity is critical as Canada ​fights threats from abroad, including a trade war with the US. Carney has campaigned for Alberta to remain in Canada.