Alberta separatist leaders say the federal government’s move to advance a pipeline carrying Alberta oil to the British Columbia coast has not changed their support for leaving Canada. The Pacific Link project was declared a major project in the public interest on Thursday, a step that can streamline timelines and consultations ahead of possible construction next year.
“This doesn’t change the system whatsoever,” Cory Morgan said in an interview. “(The separation issue) is much deeper than the pipeline for people like me and the dedicated, independence supporters.” Morgan is an online political commentator and an organizer with Pathway to Independence. He has been one of the public faces in the debate over whether Alberta should remain in Canada.
In just over two weeks, Albertans are scheduled to vote in an Oct. 19 referendum on whether to stay in Canada or proceed to a second, binding referendum on separation. Premier Danielle Smith called the vote, saying the debate is intensifying and needs to be resolved one way or the other. Critics say Smith is amplifying fringe grievances to placate separatists in her United Conservative Party.
Smith has said she will vote to remain in Canada. She has pointed to joint provincial and federal projects, including the pipeline, as evidence that the country is better together. On Thursday, she repeated that message alongside Prime Minister Mark Carney in Fort McMurray, where the pair announced a major advance for the proposed Pacific Link route to the B.C. coast.
Keith Wilson, co-leader of separatist group Let Alberta Decide, described the announcement as an example of why Alberta should leave Confederation. He said the pipeline has consumed too much time, political capital and government resources just to get the province’s resources to market. Wilson said Alberta should have authority under law to marshal its natural resources instead of seeking federal approval to avoid lengthy assessments and consultations.
“(Ottawa) created a bypass route where you require the personal blessing of His Majesty Prime Minister Carney and if you get that blessing, which was bestowed upon us here in Alberta today, you may get permission to go to the next step,” Wilson said in an interview Thursday.
Jeffrey Rath, a lawyer for separatist group Stay Free Alberta, also argued on social media Thursday that Alberta should leave Canada and take the new pipeline, along with its billions of dollars in revenue. “Keep all of the money in Alberta,” Rath wrote. “Don’t share any of it with Ottawa or any anti-pipeline provinces like Quebec.”
Fort McMurray is at the centre of Alberta’s oil industry, and Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo Mayor Sandy Bowman said he understands why residents have been upset with federal rules that he said have hamstrung energy development. Still, Bowman said Thursday’s announcement demonstrates the benefits of governments working together. He said he will vote to stay in Canada on Oct. 19.
“This announcement today shows that when you have our provincial government and our federal government working in the same direction, big things are going to happen,” Bowman said. “When Fort McMurray does well, Alberta does well. And when Alberta does, Canada does.”
The Canadian Press first published the report on Oct. 2, 2026. It was written by Dayne Patterson, with files from Lisa Johnson in Edmonton and Fakiha Baig in Fort McMurray.
Based on reporting by CTV News Edmonton and Global News Edmonton.