CALGARY/DIDSBURY, Canada—The Canadian province of Alberta is known for its oil rigs, cowboys, cattle runs, and strong traditions. Like Texas, these features have shaped Alberta’s unique history and culture.
Here, endless prairies roll toward the rugged Rockies, and a spirit of resilience pulses through both the land and its people, fueling a desire for more autonomy from the federal government.
Some Albertans want to go further by holding a public referendum on making Alberta independent from Canada. A petition question on separation was approved under the province’s new laws earlier this year.
Supporters of Alberta’s independence say the province has often been overlooked by federal politicians who make choices that help them win votes in bigger provinces like Ontario and Quebec. These sentiment rose after the April 2025 election, when the governing Liberals, led by new leader Prime Minister Mark Carney, won a fourth consecutive term after 10 years in power….