Long lineups in Edmonton for Alberta separation petition canvassing event

People lined up to sign a separation referendum petition in Edmonton on Jan. 17, 2026.

Another Alberta separation petition event held in Edmonton on Saturday afternoon saw long lineups around Rundle Park.

Stay Free Alberta, the group heading the petition for a referendum question on whether Alberta should separate from Canada, has been hosting canvassing and educational blitzes provincewide since their Elections Alberta approval to do so in early January.

By midday, at least 500 Albertans had shown up to the northeast Edmonton park to sign their names. One man in line, who did not give his name, said he expected more than 1,000 signatures before the day was done.

“We need a choice, and right now we don’t have a choice. Our government is doing whatever they want,” he told CTV News Edmonton on his decision to sign the petition.

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“I think it’s incredible. I’m so happy to be around like-minded people,” said one woman, who gave her name as Janine.

“People want change. We’re not happy with how we’re treated by the federal government, we work really hard and we’re treated like the cash cow, and we’re totally disrespected by Ottawa.”

Others waiting to sign echoed those sentiments, saying they were happy to see long queues.

“When I got here I was super excited, and I was willing to wait even if it took me 10 hours to stand here and sign this for myself and my children,” said Cordy Bello. “I want my children to be able to decide their future. I also want to be able to decide my future.”

The petition, named A Referendum Relating to Alberta Independence, needs at least 177,732 signatures before May 2 in order to be brought before the Alberta government. Stay Free Alberta’s proponent Mitch Sylvestre previously told CTV News Edmonton he expects to surpass that goal.

Other similar canvassing events were held in Thorhild County, Water Valley, Okotoks, Bashaw and Buck Creek on Saturday.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Connor Hogg and Galen McDougall