Alberta separatism movement leader, Mitch Sylvestre, expressed unwavering determination in the face of potential referendum defeat. Sylvestre, head of the Alberta Prosperity Project, emphasized that their cause persists unless significant changes occur in Ottawa. He reiterated that their motivation stems from genuine concerns rather than frivolous reasons.
On October 19, Albertans will decide whether to continue as part of Canada or initiate a binding referendum on separation. Despite polls indicating strong support for remaining within Canada, Sylvestre remains resolute in his pursuit of independence. He highlighted that even an unfavorable referendum outcome would not deter their supporters from continuing the movement.
Sylvestre projected potential support for a separation referendum to range from 40% to 65% based on his extensive town hall interactions. He acknowledged that a significant defeat in the vote could prompt a reconsideration of the movement’s future. However, he emphasized that the decision ultimately lies with the people of Alberta.
Regarding Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s stance on ongoing secession efforts, her press secretary, Sam Blackett, emphasized the government’s commitment to honoring the referendum results. Blackett underscored the importance of Albertans uniting behind the chosen direction, aiming for a stronger province within Canada.
Elections Alberta reported a record 650,000+ mail-in ballots sent out for the referendum, significantly surpassing previous election numbers. Sylvestre expressed skepticism towards mail-in ballots favoring the status quo, raising concerns about potential biases. However, he indicated a willingness to accept mail-in ballots supporting the separatist option, emphasizing their detachment from the ballot collection process.
While acknowledging the rarity of fraudulent voting, Elections Alberta reinforced the importance of proper identification and documentation for mail-in ballots to be considered valid. Instances of ineligible voting have been minimal, with only a few reprimands issued in the past decade for such cases.