If Albertans vote to stay in Canada on Oct. 19, Premier Danielle Smith says there won't be another separation referendum while she's in charge.
"Not as long as I'm premier," Smith told CBC News chief correspondent Adrienne Arsenault in an interview in Calgary on Friday, Oct. 9.
She said she'd respect the result, and turn her government's attention to other issues Albertans care about.
Separatist leaders aren't planning to stop. Leaders of the Alberta Prosperity Project told CBC they're "never giving up," whatever happens on Oct. 19.
The vote is nine days away.
Not the first time she's said it
In May, when the separation question was added to the ballot, CTV's Vassy Kapelos asked Smith whether she'd promise not to hold another referendum if the remain side won.
"Yes, I do," Smith said. "I will listen to the will of the people, and that's why I'm going to be advocating on that side."
Smith has said she'll vote to stay in Canada.
Her promise only covers her own time as premier. It wouldn't stop a future government from holding another vote.
What Albertans are voting on
The referendum has 10 questions, including questions on immigration and changes to Canada's constitution.
Question 10 reads:
"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?"
Voters choose between:
Option 1: Alberta should remain a province of Canada.
Option 2: The Government of Alberta should begin the legal process toward a binding provincial referendum on separation.
The result of Question 10 isn't binding. An Option 2 win wouldn't make Alberta independent. It would start the legal process toward a future binding referendum on separation. If Option 1 wins, Smith says that second vote won't happen while she's premier.
What the polls show
A recent poll for CBC News found 72 per cent of respondents support staying in Canada, and 23 per cent support starting the process toward a binding referendum.
An Ipsos poll from late May and early June found 72 per cent would vote to stay, and 19 per cent to start the process.
Polls aren't votes. The result depends on who turns out.
'Public enemy No. 1'
Smith told CBC she isn't in contact with separatist leaders, and that some of them may see her as "public enemy No. 1" because she wants Alberta to stay in Canada. Some separatist advocates have called for a review of her leadership.
Her comments come after several developments that have exposed divisions between Smith and prominent separatist figures.
A Globe and Mail investigation reported that separatist leaders discussed offering the U.S. access to Alberta's water and oil royalties in exchange for help with independence. Those leaders deny it. Read our coverage here.
Smith told CBC it would be "ridiculous" for separatists to offer royalties and water to the Americans.
Days later, her office said she knew nothing about a meeting between U.S. Republican strategists and Mitch Sylvestre, a UCP riding president who is also CEO of the Alberta Prosperity Project. Read that story here.
And last week, Red Deer-South UCP MLA Jason Stephan said he voted for Option 2.
'Does this country actually want us?'
Smith has argued separation is a real issue that needed a vote, even though she wants Alberta to stay.
At a referendum forum earlier this month, she choked back tears as she asked: "Does this country actually want us?" Read that story here.
Better with Ottawa, she says
Smith told CBC that working with Prime Minister Mark Carney has improved relations with Ottawa. She pointed to changes in federal laws, and to Pacific Link, the proposed pipeline from Alberta to the B.C. coast that Carney named Canada's first project of national interest on Oct. 1. Read our Pacific Link coverage here.
For Smith, that's proof Alberta can make gains while staying in Canada. Separatists argue the province would have more control outside it.
So even if Option 1 wins on Oct. 19, the separation debate may not go away. Smith says there won't be another referendum while she's premier. The Alberta Prosperity Project says its campaign won't stop.
How to vote
Advance voting runs Tuesday, Oct. 13, to Saturday, Oct. 17, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. You can vote at any advance location in your electoral division.
Voting day is Monday, Oct. 19. You have to vote at your assigned location.
Voting by mail? Elections Alberta must receive your ballot by 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 16. Ballots that arrive late won't be counted. The deadline to ask for a mail-in ballot has passed.
Elections Alberta received just over 658,000 special ballot applications, and approved more than 652,000. Read that story here.
You can find your voting location and ID requirements on Elections Alberta's website.
Sources
Referendum, Elections Alberta
Smith's Oct. 9 comments as reported by CBC News. Her May comments as reported by CTV News. Alberta Prosperity Project leaders' comments and the CBC poll as reported by CBC News. Ipsos poll, June 2026.
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