Should Alberta separate? Here’s why these Canadians feel the way they do

On Oct. 19, Alberta will have a referendum on many questions, including separation.

Specifically, the ballot will ask: should Alberta remain a province of Canada or should the Government of Alberta commence the legal process required under the Canadian Constitution to hold a binding provincial referendum on whether or not Alberta should separate from Canada?

CBC News asked Albertans — and Canadians with a personal connection to Alberta — to share the personal experience that shaped how they will vote in the 2026 referendum. We had a large volume of responses to our online callout and also went into the community to ask people to contribute.

We’ve selected several of them — five Albertans and two Canadians with deep connections to the province — to share their perspectives with you, in their own words. Among the writers are an engineer, a radio host, an oil and gas worker, a social worker. They represent perspectives from across the political spectrum — from ardent supporters to remain within Canada to moderate separatists and those convinced independence is the answer.

You might disagree with some of the authors. But perhaps after reading their pieces, you might understand why they intend to vote the way they do.

Keep in mind, these First Person columns should not be taken as endorsements of any particular political party or political stance by CBC News. Rather, they are expressions of the writers’ points of view at the time of publication, and a look at how those perspectives came to be formed. CBC News was involved in fact-checking and editing their writing efforts. For more background, check out our website and the First Person FAQ here.

We’ll be publishing these columns throughout the months of September and October. Check back here to read them all.

To my family, Brexit seemed laughable. Now I don’t think the threat of Alberta separation is funny

Rosie Costen moved from the U.K. to Calgary as a child and watched Brexit from afar. Now she’s seeing similarities with the Alberta independence movement. (Elise Stolte/CBC)

Rosie Costen’s family moved to Canada from the U.K. ahead of its vote to leave the European Union. For her, the similarities between that vote and the upcoming referendum in Alberta are a source of worry. Read her story.

I was pushed to be self-sufficient. I want my province to stand on its own, too

Vicky Bayford lives in Innisfail, Alta., and works in the oil and gas sector. Her support for separatism grew out of a sense of frustration with the way society has changed. (Submitted by Vicky Bayford)

As a young mom, Vicky Bayford was denied social assistance in an Alberta that valued small government and self-sufficiency. That experience shaped her view of the debate on separatism and her hopes for an independent Alberta. Read her column.

I’m an Indigenous entrepreneur fighting to keep my business. Alberta needs change, but not separatism

Mike Deranger is an Indigenous entrepreneur in Fort McMurray. He is pictured here beside the Athabasca River on September 15, 2026. (Vincent McDermott/CBC)

In Fort McMurray, Mike Deranger built a successful oil and gas service company during a heyday of support for local Indigenous business. But so much has changed, he writes, and the independence movement is not offering solutions. Read his column.

Hosting a radio show taught me immigrants came for Canada, not a separate Alberta

As the host of Red FM, Rishi Nagar has heard from many listeners who, like him, are immigrants to Canada and don’t want Alberta to separate. (Submitted by Rishi Nagar)

As the host of Red FM, Rishi Nagar has heard from many listeners who, like him, are immigrants to Canada and don’t want Alberta to separate. Read his column.

My mom’s funeral showed me Alberta is more complicated than its stereotypes

Sarah Beley, executive director of Working Gear is pictured in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Wednesday, September 16, 2026. (Nav Rahi/CBC)

At Sarah Beley’s mother’s funeral, Alberta was more than a political identity. Nobody stopped to sort the separatists from the federalists before deciding who would clear the tables. Read more.

I don’t know many committed separatists. But I know people who are angry and hungry for change

Matthew Morin lives in Calgary and spends his free time hiking in the nearby Rocky Mountains. He says the experience of precarity in daily life influences his views on separatism. (Submitted by Matthew Morin)

Matthew Morin is a Calgary resident who is drawn toward Alberta separatism because daily life feels more precarious and he feels those on top don’t seem to care. Read more.

Living in Calgary showed me Albertans don’t realize how good they have it, but their grievances are real

Chris Regier spent a decade living in Alberta before returning to Saskatchewan. His experience has given him an understanding of the separatism debate from both inside and outside Alberta. (Chris Regier)

As an engineer from Saskatchewan, Chris Regier was taken aback by some of the opulence he saw in Alberta’s oil and gas sector.

He says his decade of experience in the province showed him two things can be true at the same time: Alberta is better off than other provinces and yet there are legitimate concerns about equalization. Read more.

Do you have a compelling personal story that can bring understanding or help others? We want to hear from you. Here’s more info on how to pitch to us.