The province of Alberta will hold a non-binding vote on October 19 to consult the population regarding the possibility of separating from Canada.

Alberta, a Canadian province rich in oil resources, will hold a non-binding vote on October 19 to assess the population's desire for separation from Canada. Premier Danielle Smith announced that, although she supports keeping the province within Canada, she considers it important to consult the citizens. The vote will ask whether Alberta should remain part of Canada or if the provincial government should initiate an official referendum for independence.

This is the first time that a province, other than Quebec, is subjecting the idea of separation to a public consultation. The decision comes after a petition for independence was rejected by a judge in Alberta. The separatist group Stay Free Alberta has gathered over 301,000 signatures for the initiative, while a petition to keep the province in Canada has collected over 404,000 signatures. Alberta, with a population of about 5 million, holds proven oil reserves of approximately 158.9 billion barrels, making it the fourth largest reserve in the world.