Albertans vote on path to independence as Carney fights to keep Canada united

EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) – Voters in Canada's oil-rich Alberta province will decide Monday whether to commence a process that could lead to independence, testing national unity as U.S.

What happened

Monday's vote is not a direct referendum on independence. Alberta, home to most of Canada's proven oil reserves – the fourth largest in the world – will decide whether to remain a province or commence the legal process toward a future referendum on separation.

More than 1.35 million Albertans, or 43% of eligible voters, cast advance or special ballots ahead of the referendum, far exceeding the 810, 000 who voted early in the 2023 provincial election. Polls on Monday will be open from 9 a.m. Until 8 p.m., with results on the independence question projected in the hours after voting closes.

The bottom line

Taken together, the developments around albertans vote on path to independence as Carney fights to keep Canada point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.