Alberta rejects independence referendum plan, but separatists vow to keep fighting

Loading the video World News Video. Alberta rejects independence referendum plan, but separatists vow to keep fighting Copy/paste the link below: Copy/paste the article video embed link below: Updated: 20/10/2026 - 11:47 GMT+2 Alberta separatists have vowed to continue their push for independence after voters rejected a plan to hold a binding referendum on leaving Canada. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT At a watch party in Edmonton on Monday, supporters gathered around televisions and checked their phones as the results came in. Despite the setback, many insisted the vote would not bring their movement to an end. “We've already won,” said separatist leader Jeffrey Rath, arguing that the campaign had built a major movement and dominated political debate in the province over the past year. Rath said the next step would be to gain control of Alberta’s United Conservative Party and form a government. Other supporters echoed that determination, arguing that the movement would emerge stronger regardless of the result. Despite the rejection of the referendum plan, Alberta's separatists say their campaign is far from over. Canada Referendum separatist Top stories Now playing Next Alberta rejects independence referendum plan, but separatists vow to keep fighting Now playing Next Uzbekistan's $12bn business drive gathers pace during Rubio visit Now playing Next Japan launches mission to bring back samples from Mars’s moon Phobos Now playing Next Latest news bulletin | October 20th, 2026 – Midday Now playing Next Ukraine carries out first drone airlift of wounded soldier from front line Now playing Next Ryanair CEO calls Ursula von der Leyen 'useless' Now playing Next Police patrol Paris streets under overnight curfew Now playing Next Video: Priest dies after cross falls on him during Mass in Ecuador Now playing Next ‘Bismillah, c’est les ténèbres’: What does the student slogan mean? Now playing Next France galvanised by shopkeepers who fought back against rioters Now playing Next Rubio focuses on trade routes and critical minerals in Central Asia Now playing Next Putin seeks Ukraine talks with Trump and Xi, refuses to meet Zelenskyy Now playing Next At least five killed and thousands evacuated as Storm Adam batters eastern Spain Now playing Next France to impose new curfews where 'situation requires it', PM Lecornu says Now playing Next Protests in France: Russian interference "quite certain" says French politician Now playing Next Ryanair CEO calls Commission President Ursula von der Leyen 'useless' ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT USA Trump says Paris will soon be 'a Muslim city' under Macron's immigration policies Canada ‘Albertans chose Canada’: Carney hails vote to reject referendum Ukraine Trump says he is ready to meet Putin and Xi in China World News Video: Priest dies after cross falls on him during Mass in Ecuador No Comment Residents clean up as deadly floods devastate eastern Spain Europe Today Europe Today: Blame continues in France, Russia kills two children in Kharkiv Space Japan launches unprecedented mission to bring back samples from Mars' moon Phobos No Comment Deadly floods sweep through eastern Spain after torrential rain Uzbekistan Rubio puts Trans-Caspian trade and critical minerals at centre of Central Asia talks Europe News 'How are we supposed to recover?': Shopkeepers react to looting and destruction across France Europe News Albanian PM Rama accuses anti-government protesters of crossing 'red line' amid violent demonstrations Europe News France galvanised by shopkeepers and locals who fought back against rioters and looters ADVERTISEMENT Culture news Professional chefs coach amateur cooks in French boxing glove cooking competition Europe News France announces partial curfews after weekend of violence No Comment Protesters block entrances to Paris’s Louvre museum Europe News 'We won't let this continue': French PM orders local curfews after weekend unrest Focus New Chinese brands drive curiosity at the Mondial de l'Auto car show in Paris No Comment Tents fill Lisbon square as protesters highlight Portugal’s housing crisis Europe News Istanbul flood death toll rises to eight as rescuers find more bodies, governor says Europe News Roads and cars submerged as heavy rain floods eastern Spain ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT