Alberta separatists delivered stacks of petition signatures to Elections Alberta on Monday, claiming they surpassed the threshold needed to trigger a province-wide referendum on independence from Canada.

The group Stay Free Alberta, led by proponent Mitch Sylvestre, submitted 43 boxes containing more than 301,000 signatures from the four-month collection period that ended Saturday. The petition requires 177,732 valid signatures, equivalent to 10% of the votes cast in Alberta's previous provincial election. Organizers proposed the referendum question: "Do you agree that the Province of Alberta should cease to be a part of Canada to become an independent state?"

Sylvestre called the submission "historic in Alberta" and urged Premier Danielle Smith to include the question on the October 19 ballot alongside other sovereignty measures. He plans to return to the Alberta Prosperity Project after Stay Free Alberta dissolves its operations.

Elections Alberta received the petition notice on December 11, 2025, and issued it for signature collection starting January 3, 2026. The agency now faces the task of verifying the signatures, a process paused by a court-ordered stay granted in April. First Nations groups, including the Athabasca Chipewyan and Blackfoot Nations, challenged the petition, arguing it violates their treaty rights. Justice Shaina Leonard's ruling on the injunction is expected soon.

Additional complications arose from allegations of a voter data breach involving the Centurion Project app, linked to unauthorized access to Alberta's electoral list. Elections Alberta amended verification procedures on May 1 to check for seeded fake names and is cooperating with the RCMP investigation. Justice Minister Mickey Amery expressed confidence in the process, citing a high sampling rate for accuracy.

Premier Smith, whose United Conservative Party government supports greater provincial autonomy through the Alberta Sovereignty within a United Canada Act, emphasized belief in the democratic process during question period. She has stated Alberta should remain in Confederation while pushing back against federal policies on energy and resources.

The movement reflects longstanding western alienation, fueled by frustrations over Ottawa's regulations on oil and gas development. Polls show about 25% support for separation, with separatists gaining visibility through U.S. contacts and citizen initiatives. A counter-petition, Forever Canadian, collected over 456,000 signatures to affirm unity.

If verified, the petition advances to the Minister of Justice and Lieutenant Governor for referendum approval. Legal experts note significant hurdles remain, including constitutional protections for First Nations and federal involvement in any secession process.