EDMONTON – Separatism in Alberta: what is the most widespread feeling among the population? Nanos Research tried to detect it with a random, hybrid (telephone / online) survey of 432 inhabitants of the province aged 18 and over, carried out on May 1st on behalf of the Globe and Mail.
The first data is that the majority of Albertans believe that belonging to their province to Canada is the best solution to create a strong economy in the long term (64%). But there is a segment of the population that tends more towards separation: about 30%. Of this percentage, 20% believe that Alberta’s independence would guarantee the province itself a solid economy while 10% would prefer Alberta to become one of the United States of America.
The percentages change with age: younger Albertans are less likely to believe that Alberta’s membership in Canada is good for its economy (56%), compared to older Albertans (75%).
Another finding from the survey is that Albertans have mixed feelings about the most important thing the Canadian government could do to improve its relationship with the provincial government. Nearly one in five say the Canadian government should listen more to the Alberta government (22%) or treat it with more respect (19%); 14% would like the federal government to treat the Alberta government “as equals”; about one in five do not believe there is anything the Canadian government can do to improve relations with Alberta (22%). The general feeling, therefore, is one of discontent with the “central” government, although with different nuances.
When asked what the top two priorities are for the federal government in the province of Alberta, residents of the province put the approval of pipelines and energy projects at the top (43%): after all, it is the land of oil and energy resources, another reason why its residents feel “stronger” and see the rest of Canada as a sort of “ball and chain”. Other important priorities include helping people to cope with the cost of living (15%), managing relations with the United States (15%) and focusing on national unity (13%).
The research also collected the opinions of Albertans on the recent federal elections, which are obviously quite negative since the Liberals won, despite the almost 65% collected by the Conservatives in Alberta. Another reason for discontent in a province that perhaps, at this moment, in Canada feels “misunderstood”.
The download and/or read the whole poll, click here: 2025-2829-Globe-Alberta-Standalone-survey-Populated-Report
In the photo above: separatist protesters in front of the Alberta Legislature, in Edmonton, last Saturday (photo from Twitter X – @albertaseparate)