Oil-rich Alberta to hold a vote on whether to separate from Canada

Key points

• A view of the Syncrude refinery at its Mildred Lake facility, which has a capacity of bitumen conversion to synthetic crude oil of 350,000 barrels per day, in the Wood Buffalo municipality of Alberta, Canada, on May 5, 2026. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has announced plans for the oil-rich province to hold a non-binding vote in the fall on whether its residents wish to remain a part of Canada — or move ahead with a second binding vote on separation.
• The move marks the first time in Canadian history that a province other than Quebec has put the question of separation to the public and comes after months of campaigning from a group of separatists.
• Speaking during a televised address on Thursday evening, Alberta's Smith said she supports the province remaining in Canada and would vote as such in a provincial referendum.
• "However, despite my personal support for remaining in...