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Canada's most conservative province has voted against separating from the country following years of a growing separatist movement, but is standing firm on tightening immigration laws, showing a continued divide with the federal government.
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province → sign → government
Separatist leaders capitalized on outrage over restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic, and support for the movement grew, leading to a referendum vote on Monday.
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support → capitalize → Monday
Despite separatists' hopes, the province voted overwhelmingly to stay in Canada, with 76 per cent of voters in favor.
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cent → vote → favor
The decision comes as President Donald Trump continues to call for Canada to become the '51st state,' a notion Canadian officals have frequently shot down.
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officals → come → notion
A majority of the questions regarded immigration.
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majority → regard → immigration
Albertans voted to enhance immigration laws, limit provincial-funded programs to citizens, and implement a 12-month residency requirement before non-permanent residents can receive social benefits.
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residents → vote → benefits
They also voted 'yes' to providing proof of citizenship in provincial elections, fees for health care and education for non-permanent residents, abolishing the Senate and prioritizing local provincial laws over federal laws.
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They → vote → laws
Alberta voted on Monday to stay in Canada, with over 70 per cent voting in favor.
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cent → vote → favor
Pictured above are supporters of a unified Canada cheering at a watch party in Edmonton
Separatists have argued that Alberta is not prioritized by the federal government for its oil resources
The referendum marked the beginning and end of a process to create an independent Alberta
The vote represents a shift in the already conservative province.
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vote → picture → province
The fringe separatist movement has gained support since the pandemic, and even though a majority of Albertans want a unified Canada, there is still a growing divide between the federal government and the province.
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majority → gain → government
Prime Minister Mark Carney said in the early hours of Tuesday that Albertans 'chose unity to build together and to take care of each other.'
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Albertans → say → other
He continued that Canada was securing new trade partners and working to become 'a global energy superpower with Alberta at its core.'
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Canada → continue → core
Now it is our opportunity to take all that we have been given as Canadians - and we have been given the greatest country in the world - and make our country better for all of us.
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country → take → us
If the vote went differently, Alberta would begin the legal process of a referendum to separate from Canada.
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Alberta → go → Canada
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith welcomed Monday's results, writing on X: 'I’m very pleased to see the initial results from Elections Alberta show widespread support for remaining in Canada.
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results → welcome → Canada
Albertans have voted for a stronger Alberta in a united Canada.'
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Albertans → vote → Canada
With help from separatists, Smith became leader of the United Conservative Party.
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Smith → become → Party
She added the question to Monday's referendum after a Canadian court rejected a petition calling for a vote on separation.
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court → add → separation
Despite that decision, Smith has said she supports Alberta remaining a province in Canada.
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Alberta → say → Canada
Multiple separatist groups have emerged since the Covid-19 pandemic.
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groups → emerge → pandemic
Jeff Rath, a leader of the independence movement, told the Associated Press that federal vaccine regulations motivated him to advocate for an independent Alberta.
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regulations → tell → Alberta
'Covid was really the straw that broke the camel's back,' he said.
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he → break → back
Former Alberta Premier Jason Kenney said the separatist movement grew out of anger over globalization, vaccines and pandemic restrictions, exacerbated by social media.
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movement → say → media
Even though opposition to energy policies had previously existed in Alberta, separatist policies failed to see any significant support before the pandemic.
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policies → exist → pandemic
Separatists have competing visions of what an independent Alberta would look like.
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Alberta → have → what
Some groups have aligned with a Christian vision, while others have alluded to stricter immigration laws.
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others → align → laws
Prime Minister Mark Carney said Albertans 'chose unity to build together and to take care of each other'
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Albertans → say → other
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith added the vote on Monday's referendum after separatists like Keith Wilson pushed for the movement
Keith Wilson, an independence leader and a critical voice during pandemic-era protests, told AP that the referendum would give separatists leverage.
Before the vote, Wilson noted that the movement will likely become even more emboldened if separatists receive at least 10 to 20 per cent.
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separatists → add → cent
Separatists have also taken their fight to Washington DC, Rath confirmed to AP.
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Rath → take → AP
He said multiple leaders in the movement met with State Department officials to discuss a possible oil pipeline through the US.
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leaders → say → US
The Globe and Mail reported earlier this month that separatists offered fresh water and oil to the US in exchange for support.
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separatists → report → support
Despite the growing movement, separatists have found Carney more likely to compromise than past prime ministers.
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Carney → grow → ministers
Carney grew up in Edmonton, Alberta's capital, and has appeased Albertans by backing a proposed pipeline and making oil exports a priority.
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exports → grow → pipeline
Separatists have noted that despite the failed referendum, the movement has demonstrated the discontent many Albertans feel.
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Albertans → note → discontent
'We don’t have the final results.
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We → have → results
I think the numbers are going to fluctuate, but it is fair to say that at least a quarter of Albertans feel that Alberta needs to be treated better
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Alberta → think → Albertans
,' Wilson said after the vote was called on Tuesday.
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vote → say → Tuesday
The Aporia
