Poll finds Albertans’ attachment to Canada has grown as support for separatism has hardened
The recent federal election results left many Albertans feeling disappointed, including Michelle Schamehorn from Taber, Alberta. Working at a local truck dealership, Schamehorn expressed her pride in being Canadian, stating that she doesn’t support the idea of Alberta separating from the rest of the country.
According to a recent poll commissioned by CBC News, 67% of Albertans disagreed with the notion of separation, while 30% agreed. This sentiment remained consistent with a similar poll conducted five years earlier. However, there has been a notable increase in the number of people strongly in favor of separation, rising from 12% in 2020 to 17% in 2025.
The poll also revealed a shift in attachment, with 34% of respondents feeling more connected to Canada than Alberta, up from 20% five years ago. On the other hand, the proportion of those feeling more attached to Alberta remained stable, while those feeling attached to both entities equally decreased significantly.
Pollster Janet Brown noted that the recent tariffs and annexation threats from U.S. President Donald Trump have influenced Albertans’ views on their province and country. Those stressed by the trade war expressed higher attachment to Canada, while those unaffected by it showed stronger attachment to Alberta.
In Taber, a Conservative stronghold, residents like Rick Tams expressed frustration with the Liberal government in Ottawa, particularly regarding deficit spending and oil-and-gas regulations. Despite these grievances, Tams believes that a separation referendum could have a chance in his circles, though he stressed the importance of thorough information before voting.
Brown emphasized that while a hypothetical referendum on separation would likely fail, there is a substantial minority of Albertans serious about the idea. This poses challenges for Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, as the UCP voter base is split on the issue, while NDP supporters are united against separation.
The implications for Smith are significant, as she must navigate a divided voter base while addressing the demands of those attached to both Canada and Alberta. The next article in this series will delve into popular support for political parties in Alberta and analyze their approaches to addressing the issue of separation.
The poll, conducted by Trend Research under Brown’s direction, surveyed 1,200 Albertans through a hybrid method involving telephone and online responses. The margin of error was +/- 2.8 percentage points, with a 12.8% response rate among valid numbers. This research provides a snapshot of Albertans’ views following the federal election and leading up to the second anniversary of the UCP’s provincial election win in May 2023.
