The idea of Alberta breaking away from Canada is becoming more serious than ever before. This week, Alberta’s Premier, Danielle Smith, announced that the province—known for its vast oil reserves—could hold its first-ever independence referendum in 2026. At the same time, a growing number of activists in Alberta are pushing to leave Canada and instead join the United States as its 51st state.
Many Albertans feel frustrated and held back by Canada’s federal government. Steve Harvey, a 52-year-old resident, put it bluntly: “Staying with Canada is finished. We’ve been like an eagle trapped in a cage for decades because of Canada. It’s time we break free.”
Right now, about 36% of Albertans support separating from Canada, with some favoring becoming part of the U.S. Premier Smith has tried to ease tensions by promising a referendum if enough people demand one. But the anger in Alberta is real, especially over what many see as the federal government’s unfair restrictions on the province’s oil industry.
Smith recently spoke directly to Albertans in a live address, saying, “They’ve blocked new pipelines, canceled oil and gas projects, and even banned the tanker ships we need to sell our resources worldwide. We just want the freedom to develop and export our natural wealth for the benefit of our families and future generations.”
Last week, nearly 500 people gathered outside the legislature in Edmonton to protest and call for independence. Some are even encouraging fellow Albertans to write to the White House, asking for support to join the U.S. Jordon Kosik, who runs a pro-separation Facebook group, said, “This thing is real. There is momentum.”
This isn’t a new debate—Alberta has talked about independence for years—but frustration has grown stronger recently. Many Albertans were inspired by former U.S. President Donald Trump’s past comments about making Canada the “51st state.” And for some, the recent re-election of Canada’s Liberal government was the final straw.
After meeting with new Prime Minister Mark Carney, Smith warned, “I made it clear that Albertans will no longer tolerate how the federal Liberals have treated us over the past 10 years.”
While Smith herself doesn’t support separation, she has introduced a law that would allow a referendum if a petition gets signatures from 10% of eligible voters. With emotions running high and support for independence at 36%, the question of Alberta’s future in Canada is more pressing than ever.
