Alberta Voters Debate Unity Ahead of October 19 Referendum

As Alberta prepares for its October 19 referendum, residents in Calgary are divided over the vote's purpose and potential consequences, with some eager to participate, others questioning the cost, and several expressing concern about political divisions. CBC News gathered reactions at a pop-up event at the Seton library branch in southeast Calgary, where residents shared their views on the province's future and its relationship with Canada.

The conversations reflected differing attitudes toward independence, the democratic process and national identity. Some participants firmly supported remaining in Canada, while others viewed the referendum as an opportunity to examine Alberta's rights and relationship with the federal government.

Polling cited by CBC News indicates that support for independence has weakened. Janet Brown Opinion Research found support at about 27 percent in the spring, before a similar September poll put the figure at 23 percent. The September findings also showed declining support for Premier Danielle Smith's United Conservative Party, likely reflecting frustration over the referendum.

Jim Fedor has arranged to take October 19 off work so he can vote. He described the upcoming ballot as a new experience and said he intends to participate in the process.

"I'm looking forward to it. Never voted in a referendum like this before, so it'll be something new," said Fedor, who visited the CBC News pop-up during the previous week.

Fedor said he plans to support keeping Alberta in Canada and oppose the other nine questions on the ballot. He also intends to arrive early, even if voting requires a wait.

"I'm gonna vote Option 1 on the separation question, for Alberta to stay in Canada, and the other nine questions I plan to vote no for each one," he said.

For Fedor, participation matters beyond the referendum's specific outcome. He said the opportunity to vote is something to appreciate.

"I'll get there early, and I'm willing to wait to get in and vote," he said.

Fedor also emphasized the importance of allowing people to participate in public decisions.

"I think it's important for everyone to have their voices heard. A lot of places in the world don't allow voting on much of anything. So I feel quite lucky to be able to vote and make my vote count," he said.

Other residents questioned whether holding the referendum was worthwhile. Christine Nelson said she believes most Albertans oppose separation and objected to the use of public funds for the vote.

"I'm really disappointed. The majority of people do not want to separate, and we have to spend taxpayers’ money to vote on something that's not going to go through unless there's some kind of, you know, crookedness going on. It's ridiculous," said Nelson.

Charmaine Coutinho, who visited the library with her young daughter, expressed concern about the social consequences of the political debate. She said she supported remaining in Canada and opposed all the ballot questions.

"I am feeling anger about the increase in racism and otherness caused by legitimizing these extreme perspectives through government actions," said Coutinho.

Her position also reflected support for national unity, which several other visitors highlighted in their messages at the library.

"I am saying no to everything, and we are, and I am, very much in favour of staying in Canada," she said.

Michael Chudleigh said he shared their voting position but was trying to understand people who disagreed with him. He described an effort to approach the debate without letting frustration dominate his response.

"I'm trying not to be angry about the whole thing and understand that those who disagree with me have their reasons, even if I can't see them," Chudleigh said.

The referendum has also created an unusual tension between people who otherwise maintain close relationships. CBC News encountered two older friends who regularly meet for coffee but hold opposing views on Alberta's future. One favors staying in Canada, while the other plans to vote to explore separation.

The friend supporting Canadian unity declined an interview but had previously explained that her father fought for Canada and that she did not want to see the country divided.

"We might not be friends after!" the pro-unity friend said.

The other woman later returned to leave a written message explaining how she viewed the referendum. She characterized it as an opportunity to discuss rights, fairness and democracy rather than necessarily a final decision on leaving Canada.

"I think the Oct. 19 [referendum] is more like a memorandum of understanding thing and gets people talking and looking into our rights and fairness/democracy. But many people have been led to be afraid it’s a final say or referendum to leave their country or be taken over by Trump!" she wrote.

Her message also raised concerns about federal authority, including the freezing of bank accounts during the trucker convoy, which she said contributed to separatist fears.

Other library visitors emphasized their connection to Canada. Several people with permanent residency but without Canadian citizenship left messages despite being ineligible to vote. Among them was David Aldana, an immigrant from Colombia who has followed the referendum campaign.

Aldana said he would vote to keep Alberta in Canada if he were eligible, pointing to his belief in unity and his appreciation of the country.

"If I could vote, I would stay with Canada, and because I feel that unity is better," he said.

He also described his personal attachment to his adopted country and the freedoms he associates with living there.

"I think unity is better for the country itself. I'm in love with Canada. I'm in love with the freedom that we have here," Aldana said.

Not all messages at the library supported the referendum's intended political direction. One visitor warned in writing that the process could produce an unintended electoral outcome, including renewed support for Alberta's New Democratic Party. Another visitor, a Ukrainian newcomer, drew comparisons between the referendum and separation votes in Crimea and Donbas, while a public servant called for a transparent voting process.

The range of responses reflected the competing concerns surrounding the October 19 vote, from political frustration and fears of division to enthusiasm for participating in a referendum and continued support for Canadian unity.