Alberta separatists say they have formally submitted almost 302,000 signatures to try to trigger a referendum on the province leaving Canada.

The group needed 178,000 signatures to force the province to consider such a vote.

The question of separation could go on a provincewide ballot as early as October, as Premier Danielle Smith has said she would move forward if enough names are gathered and verified.

Mitch Sylvestre, the head of Stay Free Alberta, arrived at the Elections Alberta office in Edmonton on Monday, leading a convoy of seven trucks to deliver the paperwork.

More than 300 supporters gathered, waving the provincial flag and chanting, "Alberta strong."

"You guys brought us here. Without you guys, none of this would happen," Sylvestre told the cheering crowd.

"You stood in the cold, you got abused and people yelled at you."

He said he would be sending the premier a letter and an affidavit swearing that more than 7,000 canvassers collected 301,450 signatures.

"This day is historic in Alberta history," Sylvestre said.

"It's the first step to the next step -- we've gotten by Round 3 and now we're in the Stanley Cup final."

However, the petition could face another hurdle this week.

An Edmonton judge is expected to rule on a court challenge launched by a group of Alberta First Nations that say separation would violate treaty rights.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 4, 2026.