Alberta Separatist Group Says More Than 300,000 Have Signed Petition as Deadline Passes

Mitch Sylvestre of Stay Free Alberta hugs a supporter before submitting signatures for a separation referendum to Elections Alberta in Edmonton on May 4, 2026. The Canadian Press/Jason FransonThe signature collection period for a referendum on Alberta leaving Canada officially ended May 4, weeks after organizers said they had secured the required 177,732 signatures to trigger a referendum.Organizers, who submitted the signatures to Elections Alberta, said they have now gathered 301,620 signatures.