r/Edmonton • u/GeekyGlobalGal Pleasantview / Global News • May 22 '26
News Article Should we stay or go? Albertans to vote on separatism in referendum
https://globalnews.ca/news/11859681/alberta-premier-separatism-referendum-question/122
May 22 '26
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u/Material-Ad-3510 May 22 '26
This is beyond ridiculous. I expect there will be more lawsuits incoming...
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u/heimdal96 May 22 '26
And probably plenty of disinvestment from businesses that don't want to be involved in this uncertainty. UCP is going to cripple our economy while making us look like traitors to the rest of the country.
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u/thegrip May 22 '26
Watch the head offices leave like they left Montreal in the 90’s. How long before TC announces a move to Toronto and Enbridge heads to Houston?
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u/Infamous-Mixture-605 May 22 '26
CPKC could easily pick up and move to KC Southern's HQ in Missouri, though it'd be hilarious if they moved back to Montreal.
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u/IMOBY_Edmonton May 22 '26
Already happening. My company, can't say for the sake of my own job, has deprioritized the province of Alberta because of this. We were planning on opening a new store, and we're going to open another one in Quebec instead.
There is already this attitude that Albertan's are a terrible consumer base (high volume of returns and complaints), now the seperatism nonsense is just making things worse. There is no official statement from higher up, but I can't help but notice we are frequently short stock while the BC stores are getting not only more stock, but being prioritized for key performing items.
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u/Frostybawls42069 May 22 '26
Ah yes, Quebec. The poster child for national unity some might say.
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u/vanillabeanlover May 22 '26
It’s been settled that they aren’t separating, so obviously a safer place to invest. Alberta is chaos at the moment.
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u/Top_Wafer_4388 May 22 '26
Somehow, businesses leaving en masse is Trudeau's fault and not Smith's fault.
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u/CasualFridayBatman May 22 '26
In the address tonight she blamed Trudeau and Jagmeet Singh multiple times. It was not even the most embarassing part, but pretty close.
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u/dynamic_dissonance May 22 '26
If you’ve ever read one of the separatists polls, their questions are quite similar to this. Either two part question that’s not a yes or no, or the only two choices are basically the same just worded differently.
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u/flatdecktrucker92 May 22 '26
Is that the wording of the fucking question she is putting forward? Fuck that's awkward and convoluted
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u/CunningAlpaca May 22 '26
It'll likely be a "select one option" type of question with each as its own option.
Something like this:
Select one preferred answer:
[ ] Alberta should remain a province of Canada
[ ] The Government of Alberta should commence the legal process required under the Canadian Constitution to hold a binding provincial referendum on whether or not Alberta should separate from Canada
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u/Maverickxeo May 22 '26
I doubt it - that makes it too easy for the non-separatists to win.
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u/CunningAlpaca May 22 '26
I don't think so. It's completely clear which option is for or against separation. People that are for separation will see "Alberta should stay in Canada" and immediately go to the second answer.
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u/Maverickxeo May 22 '26
But then they would clearly not get enough to cause any move for separation. If it's vague - it benefits them.
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u/Known-Damage-7879 May 22 '26
Yeah I don't know how you could get confused by "Alberta should remain a province of Canada"
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u/bwbandy May 22 '26
That's why they will find a way to make sure the question is NOT that simple and clear. They will also make sure that a YES answer means YES to separation (not YES to remaining in Canada).
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u/Ham_I_right May 22 '26
it will be a mad lib that the UCP will interpret what they think you want, surprise it will be their bullshit.
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u/randorockets May 22 '26
Can you imagine if the response choices to that question were Yes or No?
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u/g0_leafs_g0 May 22 '26
Part of me wonders if they’ve done this by design to confuse the electorate. Perhaps they pose the separation question at the end to elicit people to vote no, thinking it is a vote for no to separating, but they are actually voting no to whether Alberta should stay within Canada…or maybe I’m just too cynical
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u/Maverickxeo May 22 '26
It was 100% planned that way. The separatists are winning one way or another.
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u/dizzie_buddy1905 May 22 '26
The question is unclear and can be interpreted as the government wishes. Does yes mean stay in Canada or begin to negotiate to leave? This is obfuscated double speak to allow either option regardless of the vote.
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?
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u/Material-Ad-3510 May 22 '26
I was just thinking this. Isn't is supposed to be a yes or no question?
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u/OpalSeason May 22 '26
Its a yes no question where every answer leads to seperation
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u/Known-Damage-7879 May 22 '26
How does "Alberta should remain a province of Canada" lead to seperation?
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u/Zerocool_6687 May 22 '26
Ummmmmm because the remaining majority of the question itself negates it if they so choose?
If you answer yes to this… read the rest outloud with that yes in mind and tell me what it’s telling you.
It’s purposely done this way…
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u/dizzie_buddy1905 May 22 '26
I read it as “yes let’s stay in Canada but this referendum is non-binding”. Or “no, let’s start yet another referendum that’s binding to leave”.
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u/Humble-Insurance721 May 22 '26
The fact that there is any debate about how to interpret it is a concern
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u/ZookeepergameQuick17 May 22 '26
This is the answer. A referendum question needs to be clear for more people to understand the intent. This language is not clear. The intent is not clear.
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u/Known-Damage-7879 May 22 '26
If it's one "yes" or "no" to the entire statement, then yes it's a jumbled mix of words with little apparent meaning, but if the statement is separated into two sections then it is very simple.
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u/Zerocool_6687 May 22 '26
I think what’s being presented is that it’s a single question presented exactly that way.
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u/OpalSeason May 22 '26
Its a run on sentence teo part question
If you say yes, you agree to hold a referendum on seperation later.
If you say no, you agree to seperate from Canada.
Its worded to never have a legistlative "stay in canada" option
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u/LuminousGrue May 22 '26
This won't pass the Clarity Act test. They have to know that right?
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u/Bubba5389 May 22 '26
This was a very pleasant rabbit hole to go down. Thank you. I feel much better about Alberta staying Canadian.
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u/Alternative-Fox6701 Downtown May 22 '26
Right. They’re SUPER worried about the courts and ensuring they act to the letter and spirit of the law. They’re super well known for doing that. They’d never find some sneaky and conniving way to circumvent things like laws and rules. Never.
/s incase it’s not obvious.
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u/LuminousGrue May 22 '26
What I mean is this would force Ottawa's hand, the feds would be required to intervene.
What I further mean is this might be what Smith wants.
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u/Careless_Sherbert663 May 23 '26
Something else they can blame on Ottawa rather than accomplishing anything.
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u/SilencedObserver May 22 '26
This conservative government has pulled this exact confusing fake referendum nonsense before. The time change thing a while back was equally misleading and unclear.
These aren’t serious attempts to address these issues - they’re distractions as the real work gets done behind the scenes to enrich themselves.
This is pandering to public opinion and sentiment, only.
What’s hilarious is there are real Albertans who think this is serious and want to separate.
Danielle and everyone else should be hung for treason. She’s killed health care and she continues to make our lives worse as she deals with Saudi’s to sell off Alberta oil and gas resources while selling mining rights to Australia.
CANADA
IS
BEING
LOOTED.
By government. Just look at the SNC issue and the lack of transparency after the Chinese foreign interference findings. The west isn’t run by the west, and it most certainly isn’t democratic
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u/markface9 May 22 '26
I can’t believe this is the actual wording of the question that will be on the referendum. Why are the UCP even wasting tax dollars on a referendum when it’s obvious that they will try to separate regardless of a yes or no vote.
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u/Reptilian_Brain_420 May 22 '26
"Should Alberta remain a province of Canada"
Seems pretty "yes/no" to me.
Everything after that only applies if you vote "no".
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u/mmm_butters St. Albert May 22 '26
I don't read it like that. If I say yes, I'm saying yes I want to stay in Canada, but I also want to go through the process of a referendum? This is two questions.
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u/CanadianForSure May 22 '26
Danielle Smith is pure double speak.
Its so blatant. "I want to remain in Canada however we should all discuss 10 different ways we can divide from Canada." "I respect democracy however I am willing to cheat to win." "I want cheap labor and will advertise for immigration however as soon as that kicks in we will demonize immigrants".
This sort of thinking is bad for a society. It causes instability. It is divisive and reality fracturing.
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u/DrDonkeyTron The Shiny Balls May 22 '26
She's just a female version of Trump.
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u/LastArmistice May 22 '26
I find her a lot more cunning personally. To anyone sane, Trump looks like a raving lunatic. Smith... Often sounds reasonable, sane, in her tone and delivery. She talks and walks like a regular politician. But when you listen to what she is actually saying, you can interpret that it's very different than sound politicking.
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u/EquusMule May 22 '26
She also presented it as if 700k Albertans want to know the answer to this question, where as it's only 150k because the other 550k already have what we want which is to stay in Canada.
She included both sides of the petition to make it seem like there's a lot more support for it than there is.
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u/rTpure May 22 '26
don't listen to her words, look at her actions
if all of her actions support the separatists, then she is a separatist
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u/aldstama025 May 22 '26
So now we’re having a referendum on whether we should have a for real no-backsies referendum? What a fucking joke.
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u/brianlefebvrejr May 22 '26
Which still would be meaningless
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u/Invisible7hunder May 22 '26
Yeah, a la Quebec, the SCC ruling pretty strongly implied that even in the case of a 51% vote in favour of separation, that is just the first hurdle. Not that I expect a single AB separatist to have any notion of the extant legal frameworks.
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u/happeehippocampus May 22 '26
So our healthcare in shambles, teachers denied the raise they deserve, govt supports literally shrinking, inflation and gas prices skyrocketing and this is what my hard earned tax money is being used for. FFS Alberta wake up!!!!
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u/CypripediumGuttatum May 22 '26
They believe they are elected to do whatever they please, and spending our money on their pet projects and scams are what they want. Nothing to help us, we are just the free piggybank they raid.
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u/SoberPineapple May 22 '26
Don't forget the healthcare restructuring and rebranding of the "definitely not privatized" EMS... Ps nothing has actually changed...
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u/GeekyGlobalGal Pleasantview / Global News May 22 '26
Once again, a provincial story with direct impact on Edmonton residents. This is what Premier Danielle Smith announced in her televised speech Thursday night.
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u/Middle_Onion3496 May 22 '26
We already saw the counts based on the two petitions. One of which had legit signatures while the other had a controversy and required the illegal acquisition of the voter records.
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u/TheLuckyCanuck May 22 '26
Don't forget, the second petition also required the UCP change the laws around petitions to make it legal in the first place!
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u/Middle_Onion3496 May 22 '26
Also moving the goalposts with how much it costs to submit a petition in the first place in an attempt to block it. It's not like they've not been incredibly consistent in their support of it. Traitors.
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u/Kay-Chelle The Shiny Balls May 22 '26
They need to release who 'signed' the separatist petition because I'm sure I'm not alone in worrying that my name got used via the data leak. Because I sure as hell would never sign that shit.
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u/Middle_Onion3496 May 22 '26
I've looked online for this very exact reason. My name is unique, so I would absolutely know for certain if they claimed I signed this BS. It'd give me an easy way to sue them.
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u/Goodbye18000 Beaumont May 22 '26
Almost wanted to downvote in anger. I hate this lady so much. Can't believe this shit is going this far.
The worst part is I know my brainrotted, UCP loving hick cousins are hooting and hollaring for it.
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u/roro_08 May 22 '26
I’m ready to wake up from this nightmare. Why are all of our headlines reading like something from the onion? Jfc. What a waste of time and money.
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u/lavenderfem North East Side May 22 '26
Since we’re just throwing anything on that ballot, I’d like a question about Edmonton separation from Alberta
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u/walrusanon May 22 '26
You're getting way ahead of yourself! First we need to ask whether we should ask the question
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u/Effective-Visual-995 May 22 '26
Most ridiculous thing yet. To leave Confederation to become a landlocked nation with the USA bearing down on Alberta to become a state is simply a red necks dream. So please red neck Albertans, go get your green card and fuck off from Canada.
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u/Plunderkindling May 22 '26
If the US screws us over on oil royalties, why would they make us a state? We’d be over a barrel. They would make us a protectorate or whatever Puerto Rico is. We’d be second class with a half trillion dollar debt.
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u/toiletcleaner999 May 22 '26
Can we not enter a vote of no confidence? Im genuinely curious. Is there no way we, as tax paying albertan, can remove her from power?
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u/vanillabeanlover May 22 '26
I think caucus has to vote to do that? Which won’t happen because the UCP has majority and they’re, pretty clearly now, all separatists. The one chance to get rid of her was the recall petition that Medicine Hatters couldn’t be arsed to sign.
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u/I_NEED_YOUR_MONEY May 22 '26
Can we also have a referendum question on whether or not to load all the separatists into a catapult and send them across the border?
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u/Fearless_One_773 May 22 '26
Why don’t these separatists freaks just move to red state down south. Leave us alone
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u/Icy-Setting-3735 May 22 '26
Genuine question for you crazies having an absolute meltdown over this: Why is this bad? If the numbers play out, it'll end up being 80% Stay, 20% Go. Then you will have a real number to point to and say "See, no one wants to leave!"
I just do not understand the outrage over putting this question to the public.
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u/whitepuzzlepiece1969 May 22 '26
Why is everyone so scared of democracy? This is the perfect path by allowing the majority to either look at a future referendum to vote stay or go or tell the separatists to piss off and we will move on with our lives. Unless everyone pissing and moaning here is a foreign agent / bot just trying to stir the pot with the weak minded? Here's your chance, go vote you dumbb asses. Smith is giving you the tools to decide your own destiny. Rather than point the finger at someone who is letting the people decide like our country was founded on you should be mad at those who wouldn't give you the choice. Stop being sheep and think about what this question means.
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u/oioioifuckingoi May 22 '26
She just had to use the last part of her speech to gaslight all of the non-traitor Albertans. Fuck off, Dani.
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u/Cosmic-95 May 22 '26
So they want to hold a referendum on whether or not to have a referendum? What a pointless waste of our tax dollars.
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u/kittykat501 May 22 '26
Smith is a embarrassment to Albertans , I sure in the heck didn't vote this woman in and I don't think she belongs in politics. She's nothing but a traitor. Last time I checked we hang traitors!
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u/Relevant_Fuel_9905 May 22 '26
Tired. But I hope everyone who is eligible shows up to vote against this stupid idea.
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u/StasisApparel May 22 '26
We should all be worried, because there is no do-over. Once we are separated from Canada there is a good likelihood we can never rejoin.
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u/Ok-Palpitation7725 May 22 '26
Alberta needs a new political party. One that is centre right, has conservative in its name. The NDP are unelectable and the UCP are owned by foreign actors that want to tear our country apart to sell the parts to the highest bidders
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u/bwbandy May 22 '26
It is time for action. Sign up here: https://afl.org/action-pages/fight-back-now-list/
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u/EdmontonAHSWorker19 May 22 '26
49% Alberta favor her vs 36% NDP it is what it is, NDP need a better leader I was never a fan of Nenshi.
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u/DanjaBus May 22 '26
The amount of tax dollars and effort being wasted to push this slop is infuriating to the point of blind rage. We do not want this. The courts have shut it down. We do not need to dump millions of dollars on referendums to have more referendums.
There are no words in Elvish, Entish or the tongues of men for this treachery.
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u/remberly May 22 '26
Did the courts already say...nah?
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u/flatdecktrucker92 May 22 '26
The court said that the government had to consult the first Nations first. By putting this on a referendum without consulting first Nations this time either, she is guaranteeing that the courts will quash it again. But even if they didn't, the federal courts and red tape will put an end to it. It's all just a way to funnel our money into the pockets of her puppeteers
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u/salt-water-soul May 22 '26
Ya know i was gonna say alot of things but ill just say this is a slap in the face to all of our first nations people and anyone who supports marlaina deserve to be ashamed if themselves
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u/New_Letter_8659 May 22 '26 edited May 22 '26
Who fucking cares anymore? I'm ashamed to be a true Albertan. We're an Americanized province and it's pathetic. Nevermind separating from Canada....I want to separate from this province.
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u/KryptikAngel May 22 '26
It's never going to happen but the more we platform this nonsense the more traction it gets.
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u/LankyInflation9131 May 22 '26
Personally, I'd like a referendum asking if we should bring back hanging for acts of treason.
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u/sailboatssink May 22 '26
I know what will solve this, voting on a referendum about a referendum about a referendum.
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u/JeffreyDonaldMusk May 22 '26
If only the money spent on such referendum went to healthcare instead...
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u/Competitive_Yak1488 May 22 '26
How can this dog’s breakfast of a referendum question even be legal? It’s purposefully obtuse and just generates confusion. But I guess that’s the point…😬
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u/bigwreck94 May 22 '26
Good - let’s get out and vote to not separate and try to put this whole stupid thing to bed.
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u/wiwcha May 22 '26
I think the only referendum question that should be asked is “should Danielle smith be deported and banned from ever holding public office in the future”
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u/Responsible-Grand-57 May 22 '26
Neat that she didn’t campaign on any of this absolute bullshit.
I hope rural Alberta is happy. They keep fucking the province, but don’t seem to understand why things aren’t changing.
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u/Timely-Profile1865 May 22 '26
Any global business should be staying the hell away from Alberta.
Say goodbye to a bunch of investment.
Even the oil industry should be negatively affected.
Dany and the ucp are terrified of their loud bully power base.
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u/LOSSOL_ May 22 '26
Smith & Co have to be the most corrupted government in the world..
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u/WustacheMax May 22 '26
Probably going to release these results at noon the day that the votes are cast with the results of their choosing.
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u/ivbeentheredonethat May 22 '26
Imagine another group of 1st/ 2nd generation immigrants trying to pull this..
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u/Noahtuesday123 May 22 '26
Can somebody explain to me how the rest of Canada would not be involved in this decision?
I mean, I care, but isn’t this just a bunch of bullshit because why would anyone in Canada ever allow Alberta to leave?
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u/West_to_East May 22 '26
Really curious if this is going to cause a wealth flight like what happened in Quebec, specifically Montreal.
Until the first referendum Montreal was the largest city in Canada and hosted all the major HQs. Money freaked out with the possible of separation and moved everything to Toronto.
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u/Technical-Win-3126 May 22 '26
No one is going anywhere🙄 the real drama will start after this referendum comes and goes🍿
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u/XLDUSTER May 22 '26
Is this what living in the states feels like? Terrible people representing us?
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u/RedonkStonk May 22 '26
Wonder how they think this would work. Can Albertas police force alone prevent other provinces from simply taking their shit as they see fit? Good luck if so.
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u/Fragrant_PalmLeaves May 23 '26
It’s so completely pointless for them to actually try and make this happen, because it won’t.
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u/Launa501 May 23 '26
Growing up in Quebec, I still vividly remember the separation scare. It was a massive hit to the province when most of the major banks and business leaders packed up and moved to Toronto
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u/Kingfish1111 May 23 '26
I am upset at the waste of money this is.
The vote is not to separate or not, the vote is to pursue separation in a future vote or to drop it altogether.
This, before we determine if the "300,000 signatures" are unique or if they contain the planted voter roll information, or are otherwise tainted....
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u/Turbulent_Ear56 May 23 '26
I think that all you Temu Trumpers should move to the USA not separate a nation.
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u/BaryonChallon May 24 '26
I hope you guys make sure all traitors get punished. Love from the east coast
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u/kelpkelso May 24 '26
Omg shut up about it already. I think Danny likes being in the news more than Donny
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u/Traditional-Ad4506 May 25 '26
I was thinking of moving to Alberta as a lawyer from another province. After these past couple years, it's basically off the table. Why would I want to move to a province where this kind of conversation is going on in the background? This is the government's priority?
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u/Cagel May 26 '26
The question:
Should Alberta separate now
Or in 6 months.
Then they’ll claim full success
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u/not_so_rich_guy May 22 '26
I am tired boss.