After conducting months of grassroots campaigning, displaying signs, and engaging in online discussions, this weekend marks the last push for campaigning in Alberta before the Oct. 19 referendum.
Albertans are gearing up to participate in the voting process on Monday, facing 10 questions including Option 1: staying in Canada or Option 2: initiating a second binding referendum on separation, along with nine other queries related to immigration and the Constitution.
An impressive number of individuals have already participated in the voting process through advance polls and special ballots.
Premier Danielle Smith has publicly shared her support for Option 1 and is actively engaged in door-knocking efforts across four different communities to encourage voter turnout over the weekend.
In a bid to rally support for maintaining unity within Canada, Prime Minister Mark Carney is attending consecutive rallies organized by Forever Canadian in Calgary and Edmonton. Carney emphasized the importance of voter turnout, stating, “Polls don’t vote, people vote.”
Smith and Carney are scheduled to appear at a joint event in Red Deer, Alberta, alongside former premier Ed Stelmach, while Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre will be in Calgary to address the Canada Strong and Free conference, where the topic of Confederation will be a focal point.
The separatist group Let Alberta Decide, headed by Keith Wilson and Tanya Clemens, will hold an Alberta independence rally outside the legislature on Saturday, with notable figures like Cory Morgan, Chris Scott, and Lawrence Magee (Berta Proud Dad) expected to attend.
Various events are planned leading up to the final day of voting, including a province-wide protest hosted by the Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL) on Saturday to advocate for unity, with speeches from Thomas Lukaszuk and NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi.
Advance polling concludes on Saturday, with official polls opening on Monday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., potentially extending hours at certain locations to accommodate high voter turnout.
