GRANDE PRAIRIE — Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is continuing to buck calls to postpone a fall referendum she scheduled about the province quitting Canada.

Opposition NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi has said the vote projects an image of national weakness amid Canada’s tense trade war with the United States.

But Smith says holding the vote is a separate issue and pointed to the province’s citizen initiative legislation, last changed by her government this spring.

The Oct. 19 referendum asks Albertans whether they want the province to stay in Canada or start the legal process to hold a future binding vote on separation.

Smith has said she’s advocating to stay in Canada.

She says now is an important time to be looking at the benefits of Alberta remaining part of the country and that the province and Ottawa have co-operative momentum.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 26, 2026.

The Canadian Press