CBC Lite
   Sections

News • Canada

What’s the personal story behind how you will vote in the Alberta
separation referendum? Share it on CBC News

   Elise Stolte,
   Tamara Baluja | CBC News | Posted: July 21, 2026 8:00 AM | Last
   Updated: 6 hours ago

   If you cannot vote in this election, what would you say to
   Alberta voters?

   Image | CGY IMAGE Alberta separatism

   Caption: Separatism is on the ballot for Albertans this fall.
   One referendum question asks if they would like to start the
   legal process for a binding referendum on independence. (Steve
   Silcox/CBC)
   (BUTTON) Load image
   Open image in new tab
   In October 2026, Alberta will have a referendum on many
   questions, including separation.
   Specifically, the ballot will ask: should Alberta remain a
   province of Canada or should the Government of Alberta commence
   the legal process required under the Canadian Constitution to
   hold a binding provincial referendum on whether or not Alberta
   should separate from Canada?
   We're looking for several people to publish their perspectives
   on CBC. Not the same political commentators, but real people
   with real stakes who are willing to share the why behind how
   they feel. It’s a personal story that led to your point of view
   — not just an opinion.
   To express your interest, please fill out this Google form.

If you live in Alberta:

   Perhaps you feel passionately that independence is the answer
   for Alberta’s challenges. If so, do you have a personal
   experience that can help others understand why? On the other
   hand, if you’re passionate about staying in Canada, is there a
   value that shapes your decision, and can you trace why that
   value is so important for you?
   If you're Indigenous, how are you navigating conversations
   around separation, treaty rights and identity? If you have a
   family member or friend who is on the opposite side of the
   debate, how does that play out at your dinner table?
   Or maybe you recently became a Canadian citizen after moving to
   Alberta — what feelings or memories does the debate bring up
   for you?

If you live in other parts of Canada:

   How is the discussion around separation impacting you? If you
   live in a community, such as Saskatchewan, where there is
   support for separation, what are you hoping to see and what
   personal experience made you feel that way? If you live in
   Quebec and voted in its referendum, how did that referendum
   shape your identity going forward?
   Did you immigrate from a country that had its own referendum to
   separate or formed its own separate nation, and how did that
   experience impact how you view this referendum vote in
   Alberta?

Share your voice on CBC

   If you feel like your perspective isn't represented or heard on
   a national stage, here's your chance to help change that.
   This is a paid writing opportunity and you don't have to be a
   professional writer. You’ll work one-on-one with a CBC editor
   to refine your idea and produce your piece. We’ll support you
   each step of the way.
   Want to see previous First Person columns we've published?
   Check out our website and review our FAQ.
   Questions? Email us at firstperson@cbc.ca.

   Embed | Other

   To view this embedded content, please visit the full version of
   this story.Open full story in new tab

More Stories Like This

   The related links below are generated automatically based on
   the story you’ve just read.

   Loading...
   CBC Lite is a low-bandwidth website. To see what's new, check
   out our release notes. For high quality images, media,
   comments, and other additional features visit the full version
   of this story.
   We and select advertising partners use trackers to collect some
   of your data in order to enhance your experience and to deliver
   personalized content and advertising. If you are not
   comfortable with the use of this information, please review
   your device and browser privacy settings before continuing your
   visit. Learn more about Online Tracking and Privacy Choices.
     * Corrections and Clarifications
     * Terms of Use
     * Reuse & Permission
     * Privacy Notice
     * Accessibility
     * Contact a Newsroom
     * Submit Feedback
     * Lite Help Centre
     * Jobs
     * RSS

   CBC Lite version: 1.8.20. © 2026 CBC/Radio-Canada. All rights
   reserved.