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Poilievre Urges Albertans Vote to Stay in Canada

By Drooid · Oct 2, 2026, 2:01 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Poilievre Urges Unity

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre urged Albertans to vote to stay in Canada during a speech in Edmonton.
He said separatists dislike the Liberal government, not Canada.
He argued that unity would better address Alberta’s issues.
Poilievre cited grievances such as the federal gun buyback, high living costs, and oil-gas restrictions.
Alberta’s Oct. 19, 2026 referendum includes Question 10 on staying in Canada versus a binding separation vote.

Summary

Elections Alberta Sees Surge

Elections Alberta received about 658,000 special ballot requests for the Oct. 19 referendum.
Nearly 100,000 special ballots have been returned and marked as voted.
About 35,000 applications remain pending.
Over 82% of applications have been approved for mailing.
Former chief electoral officer Lorne Gibson warned the surge could increase ballot rejections for missing IDs or signatures.

Summary

Calgary Signs Removal

Bill 54 stripped municipalities of authority to regulate election signs, shifting responsibility to the provincial government.
Calgary says it will act on signs only when they pose safety hazards or interfere with infrastructure.
A city worker was filmed removing referendum signs.
Calgary said some removals were errors, promising investigation.
Councillor Nathaniel Schmidt warns the regulatory gap creates confusion and makes tackling rising sign vandalism harder.

History

Historical Context

After the failed Meech Lake and Charlottetown accords, Premier Jacques Parizeau’s Parti Québécois called a sovereignty referendum on 30 October 1995. Led by Bloc Québécois chief Lucien Bouchard, the “Yes” side lost by just 54,288 votes, with 49.42 % support and a record 93.52 % turnout. The narrow defeat spurred the 1998 Supreme Court ruling and the federal Clarity Act.

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Poilievre Urges Unity

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre urged Albertans to vote to stay in Canada during a speech in Edmonton.
He said separatists dislike the Liberal government, not Canada.
He argued that unity would better address Alberta’s issues.
Poilievre cited grievances such as the federal gun buyback, high living costs, and oil-gas restrictions.
Alberta’s Oct. 19, 2026 referendum includes Question 10 on staying in Canada versus a binding separation vote.

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