Crowds of Alberta independence supporters filled the plaza at the legislature in Edmonton on Saturday afternoon, chanting and waving flags in a last push to rally support for the separatist cause ahead of Monday’s referendum.
Let Alberta Decide initially scheduled the event for 3 p.m. MT, but strong winds in the region led organizers to push the start time to 4 p.m.
Ten speakers are lined up for the event, including Keith Wilson, a lawyer who co-chairs the organization and heads the Alberta Transition Council, which has formed a plan should the province ultimately secede from Canada.
People from across the province were expected to attend, with the pro-separatist group arranging buses to take people from various cities to the Alberta legislature. According to the group’s website, 10 buses were rented to transport people living outside the capital city for a round-trip fee. Two buses each from Calgary and Leduc have sold out.
The Edmonton Police Service issued a traffic advisory Saturday morning, saying the demonstration could affect traffic in the city’s core and around the legislative grounds. It advises motorists about potential delays in that area and to consider taking alternate routes.
According to the Let Alberta Decide website, 10 buses were rented to bring separation supporters living outside Edmonton to the pro-independence rally the group organized at the Alberta legislature on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. (Tristan Mottershead/CBC)
The scheduled rally is just one of several that have happened, or are planned, over the final days before Monday’s provincewide referendum, which will feature 10 questions.
The most notable question asks Albertans whether they want the province to remain in Confederation, or if they want the provincial government to start the legal process to hold a binding secession referendum.
According to Elections Alberta, hundreds of thousands of Albertans have already cast their ballots via mail or advance polls, which close at 8 p.m. Saturday.
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On Monday, voting locations are open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. If there are any lineups, stations will stay open longer to allow people to finish voting.
Polling has consistently suggested that most Albertans want to stay in Canada. But according to Elections Alberta, a significant number of Albertans back the independence movement: it verified almost 222,600 signatures for the Stay Free Alberta citizen initiative petition, headed by Mitch Sylvestre, leader of the Alberta Prosperity Project.
In late August, hundreds of people gathered at the legislature for another pro-separation rally.
