TABER — A pro-separatist billboard in a southern Alberta town of 10,000 was the focal point for a rally on Sunday calling for the province’s independence.

About 150 people braved strong winds and a deluge of rain in a Smitty’s restaurant parking lot to take part in the protest organized by the group Cruise to Alberta Independence.

The event was next to a billboard paid for by separatist Cory Morgan, who has refused to take it down despite an order from the town claiming it’s a public nuisance.

The electronic sign scrolls through several messages including Morgan’s, which shows the Alberta shield surrounded by the words: “Send Ottawa a Message! Choose Alberta.” There’s also one for a nail salon and an H&R Block.

“I kind of sparked this inadvertently with a billboard, just trying to make a mark and get the campaign going and it turned into a symbol, I think, for people to push back for those who are trying to cancel the messaging throughout this campaign,” Morgan said wearing a blue Republic of Alberta sweatshirt.

The billboard, which is located on municipal land, is just one of three in the community. The town administration didn’t comment publicly on the spat with Morgan nor did it apparently take any action towards the owner of the sign.

Albertans are set to vote on Oct. 19 on whether to stay in Canada or trigger a binding referendum on separating from the country.

By the time Sunday’s rally started the rain had eased off, the sun came out briefly and the event proceeded.

Morgan said it appears he came out on top in his battle with the town. The billboards are paid up until Tuesday.

“The sign stayed up until the end. We got as much exposure as we ever could have hoped for and I think we stayed on our messaging. We aren’t angry, we aren’t embittered. We’re just trying to have a conversation.”

Dozens of people were waving Alberta flags and a convoy of about 25 cars and trucks, horns honking, arrived at the site. Independent Alberta lawns signs were handed out to those who attended.

Joe and Theresa Gregus of Taber, who have been married for 40 years, wanted to show their support for the independence movement. They say an independent Alberta would give their children and grandchildren a better chance to thrive in the future.

“I’ve actually believed in this since the 80s, since the first Trudeau and right now our grandchildren can’t get a job,” said Theresa.

“There are kids that can’t buy a home. This is not the Canada we signed up for.”

Her husband said many Albertans are fed up and he likes the chances for their campaign.

“The inflation is going higher and higher, people are having a hard time making rent payments. I think Alberta can do better for itself without Canada so we should be good to go.”

Morgan got in the back of a truck to address his audience. He said what happened with the Taber billboard should be a message to the rest of the province.

“This sends a message to the handful of folks in the city administration here who were upset with this,” he said.

“To the towns across Alberta, to the complainers across Alberta, this campaign isn’t going to be cancelled. It’s not going to be shut down.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 28, 2026.

Bill Graveland, The Canadian Press