NDP leader calls on Smith to cancel or postpone October separation referendum
Nenshi says the referendum is poorly timed amid Canada's trade war with the U.S.; Smith's office says the vote will proceed as planned.
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Alberta's Opposition leader is urging Premier Danielle Smith to cancel or postpone the October 19 provincial referendum on separation, arguing it sends the wrong message as Canada faces a trade war with the United States.
"It's time to call off the referendum," NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi said Tuesday in Calgary. "The premier's pandering to separatists just shows weakness; it shows that Canada is not united."
Nenshi said Canada must project unity as it confronts substantial U.S. tariffs. The U.S. has levied import fees on $28 billion worth of Canadian goods, with Canada announcing counter-tariffs set to take effect September 8 on items ranging from American steel and aluminum to video game consoles and fishing rods.
Smith responded through her office by referring to comments she made on her radio talk show last weekend. She said the referendum will proceed because hundreds of thousands of citizens have signed petitions demanding a resolution.
"Citizens signed one of two petitions saying they wanted to have this question now, and that's what the vote is going to be on Oct. 19," Smith said Saturday. "I think we need to make sure that we are clear about what Albertans want us to do."
Smith has said she'll personally be voting to remain in Canada.
Nenshi's criticism echoes similar concerns raised last week by Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, who said if his separatist party takes office in Quebec's October election, it would postpone any promised referendum on secession until after U.S. President Donald Trump's presidency ends. Plamondon cited the unpredictable nature of the Trump administration as a potential threat to Quebec's referendum process.
The Alberta NDP has accused Smith of holding a separatist vote not to resolve a question preoccupying Albertans, but rather to placate hardline separatists within her United Conservative Party.
"If real separatists (in Quebec) understand the danger of doing this, how come a separatist of convenience, like Danielle Smith, doesn't understand that danger?" Nenshi asked.
Former NDP Premier Rachel Notley and former UCP Premier Jason Kenney have announced they will co-chair a Canadian Chamber of Commerce campaign to encourage Alberta to stay in Canada. Both say they have had their differences but agree on the value of Alberta remaining in Confederation.
What is the legal timeline and process if the October 19 vote passes, and what happens after?
How many Albertans support the separation question versus opposing it, according to recent polling?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
The facts
When is Alberta's separation referendum scheduled?
Alberta's separation referendum is scheduled for October 19, 2026.
Why is NDP Leader Nenshi calling for the referendum to be cancelled or postponed?
Nenshi argues the referendum is poorly timed because Canada is facing a trade war with the United States and needs to project unity, not weakness.
How much in U.S. tariffs has Canada faced?
The U.S. has levied import fees on $28 billion worth of Canadian goods.
When are Canada's counter-tariffs set to take effect?
Canada's counter-tariffs on American steel, aluminum, video game consoles, and fishing rods are set to take effect September 8, 2026.
