Alberta separatists face likely referendum defeat but vow to continue fight

Alberta holds its first-ever referendum on independence Monday, with polls showing about 80 percent of residents favor remaining in Canada, though separatist leader Cory Morgan vows to continue the movement regardless of the outcome. The ballot asks Albertans whether to begin legal steps toward a future separation vote, with many supporters viewing it as a strategic protest against Ottawa rather than a genuine independence push. Prime Minister Mark Carney has warned against this approach, calling it a "dangerous bluff" that could create division. Separatist grievances stem from decades of resentment over federal energy policies and wealth redistribution, dating to the 1980s National Energy Program. Experts compare the movement to Brexit's long-term persistence, noting that even a decisive defeat may not end separatist ambitions, especially as nine other referendum questions could fuel future grievances.