Residents of Alberta have cast their votes in favor of remaining part of Canada, with a significant majority choosing to stay in the country.
What happened
In the province's first-ever referendum on separation, 76% of the counted votes supported the "remain" side, while 23% were in favor of moving forward with a binding vote on separation. The referendum was nonbinding, and the results were called late Monday after 33% of the vote had been counted.
Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomed the result, stating that Albertans had made a "clear choice" in favor of unity. He emphasized that Canada is "greater than the sum of its parts" and that the country would continue to work together.
The referendum was announced by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith in May, with the goal of understanding the will of Albertans on the subject of separation. A small but vocal group of separatists had campaigned for an independent Alberta, arguing that the province's energy wealth is being subsidized by poorer parts of Canada.
First Nations groups had also objected to the idea of an independent Alberta, citing their land treaties with Ottawa that predate the province's creation within Canada. Strong turnout was reported from First Nations, with one polling station in an area home to the Siksika Nation temporarily running out of ballots.
