A group advocating for Alberta’s independence is organizing a rally at the Alberta legislature building in Edmonton on Saturday afternoon, just before the upcoming referendum. The event, hosted by Let Alberta Decide, is scheduled for 3 p.m. MT and will feature 10 speakers, including Keith Wilson, a lawyer and co-chair of the organization. Wilson also leads the Alberta Transition Council, which has outlined a plan in case the province decides to secede from Canada.
Individuals from various parts of the province are expected to attend the rally. The group has arranged for 10 buses to transport attendees from outside the capital city, with two buses each from Calgary and Leduc already fully booked.
This rally is one of several gatherings taking place in the lead-up to Monday’s province-wide referendum, which will present 10 different questions to Albertans. One significant question asks whether the province should remain a part of Confederation or initiate the legal process for a binding secession referendum.
Elections Alberta reports that a large number of Albertans have already voted either through mail-in ballots or at advance polls, which will close at 8 p.m. on Saturday. Voting locations will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, with provisions for extended hours if needed to accommodate voters.
While polling data consistently indicates a preference among most Albertans to remain in Canada, Elections Alberta notes a substantial support base for the independence movement. Over 222,600 signatures were verified for the Stay Free Alberta citizen initiative petition, spearheaded by Mitch Sylvestre, the leader of the Alberta Prosperity Project.
In late August, a similar pro-separation rally drew hundreds of attendees to the legislature grounds.