CTV News Edmonton and Global News Edmonton have reported:

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she has voted for the province to remain in Canada in its separation referendum and is urging voters to support nine other questions on immigration and constitutional reform. Smith said in a video posted to social media Wednesday that she cast her ballot earlier that day at an advance poll, ahead of Monday’s official polling day. Advance voting began Tuesday and runs through Saturday.

The ballot’s first question asks whether Alberta should remain in Canada or hold a second, binding referendum on leaving Confederation. Smith has said for a long time that she would vote to stay. The other nine questions cover proposals from her government, which is seeking approval to pursue greater provincial control over immigration, including new rules and fees for newcomers, and to work with other provinces on constitutional changes that would transfer more power to provinces.

“We have seen great progress lately in addressing the unfair laws and policies that have hurt Alberta,” Smith said in her video. She acknowledged frustration among many Albertans with the federal government, while saying the province is beginning to make headway on major projects, including a proposed oil pipeline to the British Columbia coast.

“Canada can still work,” she said. “We just need to make some changes.” Smith urged Albertans to vote to remain in the country and to answer yes to the nine proposals. “Voting yes to questions one through nine is how we send a message to Ottawa that provinces need more autonomy and respect if Canada is going to be stronger and unified,” she said.

Elections Alberta said nearly 175,000 people voted on Tuesday, the first day of advance polling. Agency spokesperson Michelle Gurney said the turnout exceeded the daily average of nearly 152,000 during the advance voting period for the 2023 provincial election. The referendum has prompted high interest, and Elections Alberta has said it expects record turnout.

Tuesday’s voting created delays at some locations. A few advance polling stations stayed open after their scheduled closing time to serve people who had been in line before 8 p.m.; one remained open for three hours past its planned closing. Technology problems at 17 polling stations also led some locations to stay open late to make up for delayed openings.

Severe winds caused afternoon power outages Wednesday at two rural polling stations north of Edmonton. Gurney said nearly two-thirds of about 658,000 requested special ballots had been returned by Wednesday. The deadline for those ballots is Friday at 5 p.m. Elections Alberta also reported unprecedented interest in mail-in ballot requests last month.

Opposition NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi voted Tuesday. He has urged Albertans to reject the United Conservative Party government’s nine proposals and vote for Alberta to stay in Canada. The two sides of the campaign have clashed over the province’s future, with polls indicating a strong majority favour remaining in Canada. The debate has sometimes been acrimonious and divided families and neighbours.

In Coutts, a small village on the U.S. border, signs supporting Canada and separation have appeared on lawns across the community. Several pro-Canada signs and Canadian flags were visible Wednesday, alongside a similar number of signs calling for Alberta to leave Confederation. One home displayed a Republic of Alberta flag beside a Montana state flag.

Coutts was a focal point of the anti-government COVID-19 protests in early 2022, part of the broader Freedom Convoy movement against vaccine mandates and public health restrictions. Trucks and other vehicles blocked the U.S. access point for two weeks, disrupting trade and holding up traffic. Former Alberta premier Jason Kenney has said that, after the pandemic, the protesters’ focus shifted to separatism.

Jim Willett, 78, who was mayor of Coutts during the truck blockade, said local separation supporters had adopted conspiracy theories. “They just changed flags. Separationists that are local are the ones that buy into the conspiracy theories and all of that,” said Willett, whose front yard has a Forever Canadian sign and two Canadian flags. He grew up in Texas and said he understands the feeling of alienation. “I know what it’s like to live in an area where you were a Texan first and you were an American second,” he said. “You didn’t like being told what you had to do and I can understand it here.”

Coutts’ current mayor, Scott MacCumber, declined an interview request. William Harty, 72, who has run the Double Tree Motel in the village for 25 years, supports holding the referendum but opposes leaving Canada. “I believe it’s a good deal to send a message, but I want to stay in Canada,” he said. “If we separate, (U.S. President Donald) Trump may come in and take us over.” Harty said a vote could draw Ottawa’s attention to Alberta’s concerns: “They’re getting a lot more money out of Alberta,” he said. “Be a little more fair.”

The Canadian Press first published this report Oct. 14, 2026. It was written by Jack Farrell, with files from Bill Graveland in Coutts.