January 12, 2026
RED FM News Desk
A citizen-initiative petition calling for Alberta to separate from Canada has begun collecting signatures, making a stop in Calgary over the weekend as new polling suggests support for independence is on the rise.
Approved by Elections Alberta in December, the petition campaign is now hosting events across the province to gather the required signatures.
In the southeast Calgary community of Queensland on Saturday, a line of people waiting to sign stretched out of a local community centre and down the block.
“We’re seeing this across the province,” said Gregory Hartzler, chief financial officer of the Stay Free Alberta campaign. “We had similar footage from Red Deer this afternoon as well. All of our other events outside of Calgary have been at capacity, and all we can do is process the signatures.”
Questions about the practical implications of independence were also raised during a panel discussion at the event, including concerns over pensions, economic sustainability, and Alberta’s landlocked geography.
“What about my pension, what about the Canada Pension Plan, and what about the state of being landlocked — how do we make money if we’re landlocked?” one panelist asked.
The petition poses a single question to voters: “Do you agree that the Province of Alberta should cease to be a part of Canada to become an independent state?”
Supporters say frustration with federal politics is driving the momentum.
“I’m just tired of the political climate — tired of the current federal government trying to take away my right to make money, my freedoms and everything else,” said petition supporter Tim Burrell. “It’s time to stand up and do something about it.”
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