Final day of advance voting sees rallies and weather delays ahead of Alberta referendum

As advance voting for Alberta’s referendum draws to a close, campaigners took to the streets for a final push. The Alberta Federation of Labour held a rally in Calgary that wrapped up before high winds forced the cancellation of a scheduled event in Okotoks, while Let Alberta Decide’s independence rally outside the Legislature in Edmonton was postponed but slated to continue later in the afternoon. Hundreds gathered in Calgary, chanting slogans like “who decides?

We decide,” with participants such as Barbara Bodugel wearing a “cape of corruption” made from UCP mailers and carrying a puppet of Premier Danielle Smith. NDP leader Naheed Nenshi, joined by MLAs Janet Eremenko, Julie Hayter and Court Ellingson, urged Albertans to vote “yes to Canada, no to the divisive nine.” Piikani Nation Chief Troy (Bossman) Knowlton highlighted that treaty rights predate the province and argued that staying in Canada best protects Indigenous peoples. Elections Alberta noted that 703,824 Albertans have already voted in advance, and the final day of voting is Monday, with polls open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.