To stay or not to stay in Canada was the question Albertans answered on Oct. 19.

Unofficial results show a clear majority of Albertans want to remain a province of Canada with over 1.5 million voting in favour of staying adding up to 76 per cent, while 500,000 wanted to separate. As of Oct. 23 official results will be available on Oct. 29.

Albertans took to the polls on Oct.19 to vote on either option one: Alberta should remain a province of Canada or two, “the government of Alberta should commence the legal process required under the Canadian Constitution to hold a binding provincial referendum on whether or not Alberta should separate from Canada.” 

Many Albertans had different views on whether Alberta should separate from Canada or call for more provincial control when it comes to issues like immigration, while others shared how independence would cause a lot more problems than it solves. 

Three Albertans interviewed before the Oct. 19 referendum each shared different perspectives on the province’s future. 

Jonathan Williams, a young adult who has grown up in Lethbridge said he supports holding the referendum but was not necessarily in favour of Alberta becoming its own separate country. 

“I support Alberta developing more independence from Canada because the democratic system of Canada fails to meet the interests of all Canadians fairly,” said Williams. 

He then argued how the federal government doesn’t represent the interests of Western Canadians, pointing to the larger population in Ontario and Quebec.

“I personally do not think that a full separation is the answer, but rather that a great deal of the power placed in the federal government should be placed in provincial power,” said Williams. 

Elias Vee, a third year electrician also expressed interest in Alberta having greater control over its decisions, particularly those involving natural resources and the environment.

“Probably our resources and where the money goes,” Vee said when asked why Alberta should consider independence. 

He said he hoped greater provincial control would give younger Albertans the ability to start their futures here and build more of those opportunities. 

However, Vee acknowledged the practical implications of independence remain uncertain.

“Voting yes wouldn’t mean I suddenly knew how everything was going to work,” he said. 

Naomi Blum shared the opposite opinion and is opposed to separation. Arguing how independence could have more significant economic and social consequences.

Blum said she believes some arguments for separation were rooted in racism and expressed concern for the potential effects on the Indigenous communities. 

She also stated how her Canadian identity is important to her and how she wanted Alberta to remain a part of Canada. 

Blum argued the province could pursue changes to its relationship with the federal government without separating from Canada.

Despite Albertans’ different opinions, the relationship between Alberta and the federal government has been called into question. Albertans are debating how much power the federal government’s decisions should have over the province.