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Alberta Premier Danielle Smith makes it clear separation now dead issue

  • Jack Farrell

    Jack Farrell

  • Canadian Press

  • October 20, 2026

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith speaks at the Canada Strong and Free conference in Calgary, Friday, Oct. 16, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

EDMONTON -- Danielle Smith says that Albertans have spoken in Monday's referendum and that as long as she is premier, separation is a dead issue.

Smith, in a TV address to the province, says there will be no more referendums on separation as long as she is in charge.

And she says separation will not be used as a tool to fight Ottawa, but instead any challenges will be waged through political avenues and the courts.

Her comments come after three-quarters of votes cast in Alberta's referendum called for the province to stay in Canada rather than hold a second, binding referendum on leaving Confederation.

Smith says she called the vote to put a raging debate to rest, but critics say it was more about the premier seeking to placate restive separatists who wield outsized influence in her United Conservative party.

Albertans are scheduled to go to the polls in a general election less than a year from now, on Oct. 18, 2027.