CALGARY — Alberta Provincial Cabinet Minister Devin Dreeshen has refused to reveal whether he will vote in favour of or against separating from Canada in the province’s upcoming referendum. Meanwhile, Premier Danielle Smith has reiterated that both her cabinet and party firmly support remaining a part of Canada.
The question regarding the referendum, scheduled for October 19, arose during a joint press conference where Dreeshen and Premier Danielle Smith were releasing a new passenger rail feasibility study for Alberta. The upcoming plebiscite asks Albertans whether the province should remain in Canada or pursue a future legal vote for independence.
Downplaying his individual choice, Dreeshen responded that his single vote was not the issue at hand. He added that keeping the country together is the primary responsibility of the federal government, asserting that it is up to Ottawa to convince the people of Alberta why staying in Canada remains beneficial.
In contrast, Premier Danielle Smith firmly reiterated her position, stating it is her duty to vote to keep Alberta within Canada. Several other high-profile cabinet ministers have also openly voiced their support for remaining in the federation.
While polling indicates that general support for secession remains low across Alberta, surveys suggest that separatist sentiment is significantly stronger in rural regions outside the major urban hubs of Calgary and Edmonton. In light of the unfolding debate, the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) has demanded that all provincial representatives clearly state their stance on the referendum.
