Vote count begins in Alberta secession referedum, testing Canada unity

Resident voters in Alberta, a province nestled in the oil-rich western region of Canada, were casting their ballots in a referendum on Monday. The vote aimed to determine whether they should remain a part of the larger nation or initiate a process leading to the possibility of secession. Recent polls have indicated that around 70% of the voters favored staying within Canada, whereas approximately 20% supported the concept of breaking away, with the remaining undecided.

Alberta's Premier, Danielle Smith, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and both of the country's major political parties have consistently voiced opposition to secession. In contrast, the movement for independence has been backed by the administration of US President Donald Trump.

Alberta, home to around 5 million people, boasts a substantial eligible voter base of 3.1 million, according to the provincial election authority, Elections Alberta. The polls commenced at 9 am (1500 GMT) and concluded at 6 pm, although postal and in-person advance voting had already commenced. Voters were tasked with answering a total of 10 questions, with the secession query being the one to be considered first. The results may be announced as early as Tuesday, as per the election officials.

With a population of approximately 1.68 million, Calgary is the largest city in Alberta, followed by Edmonton, the provincial capital, with a population of around 1.28 million. The province is also renowned for its national parks nestled within the majestic Rocky Mountains, drawing tourists from across the globe. The long-standing independence movement within Alberta is predominantly composed of conservative voters and has been advocating for independence on cultural and economic grounds for numerous years.