Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says the province will remain part of Canada and that she will not hold another separation referendum while she is premier, after voters rejected a proposal to begin the legal process toward a future vote on leaving Confederation.
Smith made the commitment during a televised address on Tuesday evening, October 20, one day after Alberta’s referendum.
“Alberta will remain a province of Canada.
Albertans will continue to be Canadians,” Smith said during the roughly 14-minute speech.
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Danielle Smith calls referendum result a mandate
Smith described the vote as a clear mandate for her government to pursue Alberta’s interests within Canada rather than through another separation ballot.
Unofficial results available Tuesday showed roughly three-quarters of voters choosing the option that Alberta should remain a province of Canada.
Elections Alberta had not yet posted the official final results early Wednesday, meaning the final vote totals and turnout figures remained subject to confirmation.
The referendum question was not itself a binding vote on independence.
Instead, voters were asked whether Alberta should remain in Canada or whether the provincial government should start the constitutional process required to hold a later binding referendum on separation.
Smith urges separatists to remain engaged
Smith acknowledged that hundreds of thousands of Albertans supported beginning the separation process and said their concerns should not be dismissed.
She urged those voters to place their confidence in Alberta’s ability to secure greater influence, economic opportunity and provincial autonomy while remaining part of the country.
The premier said future disputes with Ottawa would be pursued through political negotiations, legal challenges and constitutional mechanisms rather than through the threat of another separation vote.
That approach marks a shift in the immediate political focus after months of debate over Alberta’s relationship with the federal government.
Smith’s government had presented the referendum as a way to measure support for changes involving immigration, provincial services, constitutional authority and Alberta’s fiscal relationship with Ottawa.
Other referendum questions remain politically important
The October 19 ballot included nine additional yes-or-no questions that were described as non-binding.
Those questions asked voters about increased provincial control over immigration, eligibility for provincially funded programs, waiting periods for some temporary residents, proof of citizenship for voting and changes to the division of powers.
Other questions addressed provincial involvement in judicial appointments, the Senate and equalization.
Smith said the results on those questions would help shape her government’s negotiating position, although the precise political and legal effect of the votes remains to be determined.
Several of the proposed changes would require cooperation from the federal government, other provinces or constitutional amendments before they could take effect.
The referendum therefore gives the Alberta government a political argument to advance, but it does not automatically change Canada’s Constitution or transfer federal responsibilities to the province.
What comes next for Alberta
Smith said her government would now focus on strengthening Alberta’s economy, expanding energy infrastructure and pressing for a more influential provincial role inside Confederation.
The premier also appealed for Albertans to move beyond the divisions created by the referendum campaign.
She described the result as an opportunity to begin a new chapter and called for respect among residents who voted differently.
The next test will be whether Smith can convert the referendum’s mixed political signals into concrete negotiations with Ottawa.
The result rejected a path toward separation while also leaving the government with support for several proposals aimed at increasing Alberta’s autonomy and control over public policy.
For now, Smith has closed the door on another separation referendum during her tenure and framed Alberta’s next phase as a campaign for greater power within Canada.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Danielle Smith announce in her October 20 address?
Smith said Alberta will remain part of Canada and that she will not hold another separation referendum while she is premier.
Did Alberta vote to become independent?
No. The referendum asked whether Alberta should remain in Canada or begin the legal process toward a later binding separation referendum.
When was Alberta’s referendum held?
The referendum was held on October 19, 2026.
Were the other referendum questions binding?
The additional questions on immigration, provincial services and constitutional issues were non-binding, according to Elections Alberta’s referendum information.
What happens next after the referendum?
The Alberta government is expected to use the results to pursue negotiations and legal or political measures aimed at increasing provincial autonomy within Canada.
Fact-Checked: Key dates, referendum wording and the status of the official count were checked against Elections Alberta information, while Smith’s address and commitments were corroborated through current reporting and government event information. ([elections.ab.ca](https://www.elections.ab.ca/elections/referendum/?trk=article-ssr-frontend-pulse_little-text-block&utm_source=openai))
Disclaimer: The referendum results were still awaiting official final certification when this article was prepared, so preliminary figures may change.