Tue May 06 21:30:00 UTC 2025: ## Alberta Premier to Hold Referendum on Separation from Canada if Petition Threshold Met

**VANCOUVER, British Columbia** – Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced Monday that a referendum on the province’s separation from Canada will be held next year if a citizen-led petition gathers the required number of signatures. While Smith personally opposes separation, she stated that she will respect the will of Albertans if the petition, advocating for independence from Ottawa, succeeds. The threshold for triggering the referendum has been lowered by the provincial government, requiring 10% of eligible voters from the last general election to sign the petition, a reduction from the previous 20% requirement.

Smith’s announcement comes one week after the Liberal Party’s fourth consecutive federal election victory under Prime Minister Mark Carney. It also coincides with ongoing trade tensions between Canada and the United States. Smith accuses previous federal governments of implementing policies detrimental to Alberta’s oil and gas industry, costing the province billions of dollars. She insists Alberta seeks not special treatment, but the autonomy to manage its resources and social services independently.

Despite her announcement, Smith expressed a desire to work with the federal government to resolve issues. She has met with Prime Minister Carney, and while she reports some promise of policy change, she demands “tangible proof of real change.” An Alberta negotiation team will be established to engage with Ottawa, and Smith will also chair an “Alberta Next” panel to gather citizen input.

Political scientist John Soroski of MacEwan University suggests that while Albertan anger towards the federal government is significant, the likelihood of actual separation remains low. He notes that this strategy mirrors previous tactics employed by Quebec separatist movements. While Smith may not genuinely desire separation, Soroski believes the threat of a referendum provides Alberta with significant leverage in negotiations with the federal government.

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