Most Canadians want federal intervention to block Alberta separation referendum
A new Research Co. poll shows more than three in five Canadians think Ottawa should not allow Alberta to separate, even if voters approve it in a binding referendum.
Sources · local media reports
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A new Research Co. poll finds few Canadians would accept Alberta separating from the country, even if voters approved it in a binding referendum.
The survey, conducted between July 20 and July 22, found that more than three in five Canadians — about 62 per cent — think the federal government should not allow Alberta's separation to happen. Only 28 per cent of Canadians, and 32 per cent of Albertans, think Ottawa should ultimately allow it. Support for intervention crosses party lines: more than seven in ten Liberal voters, 56 per cent of Conservative voters and 56 per cent of NDP voters back federal action to keep Alberta in the country.
Albertans themselves are more divided on separation's likelihood. In the poll, 50 per cent of Alberta respondents expect voters will eventually compel a binding independence referendum, while 30 per cent do not expect this scenario. Nationally, Canadians are split: 40 per cent think it's likely Alberta voters will choose to hold a binding referendum, and 41 per cent think they won't.
Albertans will vote on a non-binding referendum Oct. 19, 2026, answering whether the province should remain in Canada or whether the Alberta government should commence the legal process to hold a binding provincial referendum on separation. A May 2026 Angus Reid poll found that 60 per cent of Albertans said they would vote no on the separation question, while 35 per cent said yes.
By the numbers
What did Research Co. find about Canadians and Alberta separation?
More than three in five Canadians — about 62 per cent — think the federal government should not allow Alberta's separation to happen, while 28 per cent of Canadians and 32 per cent of Albertans think Ottawa should allow it, according to a Research Co. poll conducted July 20 to 22, 2026.
How do Conservative and NDP voters compare on federal intervention?
56 per cent of Conservative voters and 56 per cent of NDP voters support federal action to keep Alberta in Canada, matching support levels across party lines shown in the July 2026 Research Co. poll.
When is Alberta's non-binding separation referendum scheduled?
Albertans will vote on a non-binding referendum on October 19, 2026, to decide whether the province should remain in Canada or whether the Alberta government should commence the legal process to hold a binding provincial referendum on separation.
What did Albertans say about separation in a May 2026 poll?
In a May 2026 Angus Reid poll, 60 per cent of Albertans said they would vote no on the separation question, while 35 per cent said yes.
