Alberta's referendum campaign is in its final stretch, and the polling gap is wide. A Leger online survey of 1,001 Albertans conducted October 2 to 4 finds 70 per cent intending to vote remain — up from 65 per cent in August — against 22 per cent for starting the legal process toward a binding separation vote, with 7 per cent undecided.
The partisan split underneath is stark: 98 per cent of NDP voters favour remain, while UCP voters divide 43 per cent remain to 48 per cent for the separation-process option. Half of Albertans expect a negative economic impact from the debate itself, and 21 per cent say household spending has already fallen because of the uncertainty, up from 14 per cent in August.
Premier Danielle Smith, who is campaigning for remain, told CBC she would not hold another separation referendum if remain wins for as long as she is premier. Former premier Jason Kenney and former NDP premier Rachel Notley appeared together urging a remain vote, with Kenney arguing most supporters of the separation-process option are frustrated federalists rather than committed separatists.
Voting day is October 19, with Elections Alberta calling it the largest voting moment in Canada's history. Alongside the sovereignty question, voters face nine other ballot questions on constitutional and immigration matters. OTMedia will carry the results as they are counted.
