Alberta to vote on remaining in Canada

Alberta will hold a referendum on whether the oil-rich province should remain in Canada or pursue a binding independence vote, marking the country’s most significant test of unity in decades

Alberta’s oil sands: Contain 160-165 billion barrels of proven recoverable oil – 97% of Canada’s oil reserves

Quebec: Has voted twice against independence, in 1980 and 1995

Ottawa
CANADA
U.S.
ALASKA (U.S.)
100km
60 mile
ALBERTA
U.S.
CANADA
NORTH WEST TERRITORIES
BRITISH
COLUMBIA 
SASKATCHEWAN
Edmonton
Rocky Mountains
Calgary
Alberta

Alberta’s Premier Danielle Smith and Prime Minister Mark Carney

Growing independence movement fuelled by anger over natural resource policy, with some Albertans blaming federal government for hindering province’s oil and gas industry in favour of pro-climate legislation

Alberta
Canada
Including Alberta
Area:
Population:
GDP:
Exports to U.S.:
661,848 sq. km
4.9 million (2024)
$452bn (2023)
$162.1bn (2024)
Area:
Population:
GDP:
Exports to U.S.:
9,984,670 sq. km
41 million (2026)
$2.42 trillion (2026)
$547.4 billion (2024)

Sources: Canada Government, IMF, EIA, Reuters
Pictures: Getty Images
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