{
  "id": 13231585,
  "title": "7 Alberta referendum signs vandalized in Fort McMurray",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/7-alberta-referendum-signs-vandalized-in-fort-mcmurray-13231585",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-09T21:55:28.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Global News",
    "slug": "global-news-globalnews",
    "url": "https://globalnews.ca/news/12097746/fort-mcmurray-alberta-referendum-signs-vandalism/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Several Alberta referendum political signs promoting separatism were vandalized with spray paint in Fort McMurray, according to Wood Buffalo RCMP. The incident occurred between September 29 and October 4, with seven signs damaged in the process. Elections Alberta had granted permission for 11 signs from the third-party campaign group Let Alberta Decide to be placed around the community. The signs were found with various graffiti messages, including \"No Treason GTFO!!!\" and \"Go 2 America!\" Breaking, damaging, or stealing election signs is a criminal offense, and the RCMP has repeatedly warned about similar incidents in past elections. The vandalized signs are scattered across Thickwood Boulevard, Confederation Drive, Hospital Street, MacKenzie Boulevard, and Highway 63 near a dump station. The Let Alberta Decide campaign supports selecting option two on the tenth question of the Oct. 19 referendum, which asks whether Alberta should separate from Canada. The RCMP has since repaired the signs and is seeking public assistance in identifying and locating those responsible for the vandalism. Anyone with surveillance footage, witness information, or relevant details is urged to contact Wood Buffalo RCMP at 780-788-4040.",
  "summary": "More than half of the signs encouraging Albertans to vote to have a second, binding referendum to leave Canada were vandalized in Fort McMurray over the past week.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "CityNews",
        "title": "Poilievre to campaign for Canadian unity in Alberta next week ahead of referendum",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/poilievre-to-campaign-for-canadian-unity-in-alberta-next-week-ahead-13216677",
        "published": "2026-10-09T16:36:08.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Poilievre to campaign for Canadian unity in Alberta next week ahead of referendum",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/poilievre-to-campaign-for-canadian-unity-in-alberta-next-week-ahead",
        "published": "2026-10-09T16:36:08.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Global News",
        "title": "Poilievre to campaign for Canadian unity in Alberta next week ahead of referendum",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/poilievre-to-campaign-for-canadian-unity-in-alberta-next-week-ahead-13208398",
        "published": "2026-10-09T20:44:43.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Calgary Herald",
        "title": "Braid: 'We are feeling very confident' — Elections Alberta ready for referendum deluge",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/braid-we-are-feeling-very-confident-elections-alberta-ready-for",
        "published": "2026-10-09T22:24:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}