Separatists in Alberta claim they have tallied enough signatures to trigger a province-wide vote on leaving Canada. According to Fox News, the Stay Free Alberta group said it formally submitted nearly 302,000 signatures. It needed 178,000 names to force the province to consider a ballot measure. Such a ballot measure on the province seceding from Canada could take place as early as October. “Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has said she would move forward if enough names are gathered and verified,” Fox News stated. Some separatists in Alberta want the province to join the United States, while others simply want assistance leaving Canada. Separatists submit bid to force Alberta independence vote in Canada. Some independence supporters want to join the United States — Alberta borders the US state of Montana — but the group's leaders say they are merely seeking support from Trump to help secure an exit from… pic.twitter.com/9bP8GS7AKA — AFP News Agency (@AFP) May 5, 2026 Fox News explained further: Smith has said she personally does not support the oil-rich province leaving Canada, but she has accused previous federal Liberal governments of introducing legislation that hamstrings Alberta’s ability to produce and export oil, which she said has cost the province billions of dollars, and noted that she doesn’t want the federal government meddling in provincial issues, according to The Associated Press. More than 300 supporters gathered in Edmonton on Monday, waving the provincial flag and chanting “Alberta strong.” A “yes” vote would not trigger independence automatically, as negotiations with the federal government would have to take place. Daniel Béland, a political science professor at McGill University in Montreal, told the AP that despite the independence effort, liberal Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney “is indeed popular, even in Alberta.” “The push for independence by some Albertans predates his prime ministership, and it’s related to economic, fiscal, and political grievances about the seemingly unfair treatment of Alberta by the federal government,” Béland said. “These concerns increased during the Justin Trudeau years, but they have peaked and even declined since he left office.” “The Alberta Independence petitions are now in the hands of Elections Alberta. A lot of people are asking what happens next. Because of the temporary court stay, the signatures currently sit sealed while the court decides whether the counting process can proceed. And that court process matters. For many Albertans, this is exactly the problem,” Rise Of Alberta wrote. “A Liberal-appointed judge now has the power to delay or block a democratic process supported by over 300,000 Albertans. This is exactly why the independence movement exists: Albertans are tired of having their future decided by people and institutions that do not share their values. If cleared, Elections Alberta can verify the signatures and the question can move toward the October 19 referendum,” it continued. The question would be: “Do you agree that the Province of Alberta shall cease to be part of Canada and become an independent state?” “But if the court blocks the process, the democratic demand does not disappear. The pressure shifts directly back to Premier Danielle Smith. The Premier can call a referendum at any time. And with 301,620 Albertans signing the petition, the clear democratic will of the people has already been demonstrated. Politically, she also has to face reality inside her own party,” Rise Of Alberta stated. “The majority of the UCP base supports Alberta independence. If the court blocks the petition and the Premier refuses to act, she risks tearing apart the very coalition that keeps the UCP together. Either Albertans are allowed to vote through this process, or the Premier must call the referendum herself. The independence movement is not going away. One way or another, Alberta is heading toward a referendum,” it continued. The Alberta Independence petitions are now in the hands of Elections Alberta. A lot of people are asking what happens next. Because of the temporary court stay, the signatures currently sit sealed while the court decides whether the counting process can proceed. And that court… pic.twitter.com/bK8fj9eR6k — Rise Of Alberta (@RiseOfAlberta) May 5, 2026 POLITICO has more: Mitch Sylvestre, the head of Stay Free Alberta, arrived at the Elections Alberta office in Edmonton on Monday leading a convoy of seven trucks to deliver the names. “This day is historic in Alberta history,” Sylvestre said. “It’s the first step to the next step — we’ve gotten by Round 3 and now we’re in the Stanley Cup final.” He said most papers were handled five times to verify the signatures. More than 300 supporters gathered, waving the provincial flag and chanting “Alberta strong.” However, the petition could face another hurdle this week as an Edmonton, Alberta judge is expected to rule on a court challenge launched by a group of Alberta First Nations who say Alberta separation would violate treaty rights.