Politics · Canada · 19 hrs ago
Albertans share mixed views ahead of Oct. 19 referendum
Alberta is preparing to hold a referendum on Oct.
19.
The ballot includes a question about whether Alberta should stay in Canada, along with nine other questions.
At a Calgary library, visitors told CBC News how they felt as the vote approached.
Some were eager to cast their ballots, while others were still learning about the process.
Several were frustrated that the referendum was happening at all.
One visitor said he planned to vote for Alberta to stay in Canada and no on the other nine questions.
Other visitors also said they supported staying in Canada, while one said he was trying to understand people who disagreed with him.
The referendum campaigns were entering their final week.
Albertans interviewed at a Calgary library expressed excitement, uncertainty and frustration ahead of the Oct. 19 referendum.
Some people said they planned to vote for Alberta to stay in Canada and against the other nine questions.
Christine Nelson said she was disappointed that public money was being spent on a referendum she believed would not lead to separation.
Charmaine Coutinho said she opposed all the questions and was concerned about increased racism and othering.
- Who
- Albertans interviewed at the Calgary Public Library’s Seton branch, including Jim Fedor, Christine Nelson and Charmaine Coutinho.
- What
- They shared mixed views ahead of Alberta’s referendum. Some planned to vote for Alberta to stay in Canada and against the other nine questions.
- When
- The referendum is set for Oct. 19. CBC’s library pop-up took place the previous week.
- Where
- Calgary, at the Seton branch of the Calgary Public Library.
- Why
- CBC News invited library patrons to share what they were thinking about as they prepared to vote.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
I'm looking forward to it. Never voted in a referendum like this before, so it'll be something new,
I'm really disappointed. The majority of people do not want to separate, and we have to spend taxpayers’ money to vote on something that's not going to go through unless there's some kind of, you know, crookedness going on. It's ridiculous,
I am feeling anger about the increase in racism and otherness caused by legitimizing these extreme perspectives through government actions,
CBC News hosted a pop-up at the Calgary Public Library’s Seton branch and invited patrons to share their views.
Albertans are scheduled to vote in the referendum.
- Referendum date
- Oct. 19
- CBC pop-up location
- Calgary Public Library’s Seton branch
- Jim Fedor’s plan
- Vote for Alberta to stay in Canada and against the other nine questions
- CBC article publication
- Oct. 11, 2026
Sources
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