Canada’s Secession Crisis Now Has Two Fronts

Quebec has elected a party promising an independence referendum. Alberta votes October 19 on its own separation process. Ottawa needs both provinces more than it cares to admit.

This analysis is free, but with Premium Membership you get MORE. Join today.

by Rod D. Martin
October 13, 2026

Lots of people on both sides of the border laughed at the idea of Alberta independence. They’re not laughing now.

Last week, on the other side of the country, French-speaking Quebec elected a separatist government. The Parti Québécois won 59 of the province’s 127 seats, making Paul St-Pierre Plamondon premier-designate: he’s publicly committed to an independence referendum as soon as possible in his first term.

Two weeks from now, Alberta votes on whether to begin the legal process to leave Canada as well. Alberta is Canada’s cash-cow: without it, the numbers don’t add up. There are rumblings in next-door Saskatchewan as well.