Support for Alberta’s separation from Canada was strongest in rural constituencies where Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives have traditionally enjoyed overwhelming electoral victories. The results are now shaping the strategy of a proposed federal party seeking to represent Alberta’s interests in Ottawa.
With nearly all ballots counted by Tuesday afternoon, only two provincial ridings, Central Peace–Notley and Rimbey–Rocky Mountain House, recorded narrow majorities in favour of option two, which would have initiated the process toward a binding referendum on Alberta’s independence.
These provincial constituencies overlap with three federal ridings currently represented by Conservative MPs Chris Warkentin, Arnold Viersen and William Stevenson. Warkentin secured his seat by a margin of nearly 70 percentage points in the last federal election, while Viersen won by more than 65 points.
Conservative MP Dane Lloyd, who led his party’s campaign against separation, welcomed the referendum outcome but acknowledged that many Albertans remain frustrated with Ottawa. He said conversations with voters revealed widespread demands for political and economic change, even among those who did not genuinely support leaving Canada.
According to Lloyd, some Albertans used their referendum ballots to express dissatisfaction with the federal government rather than advocate outright independence. He emphasized that addressing these concerns would require tangible progress on major infrastructure and economic development projects.
Other provincial constituencies where the separation vote was closely divided overlap with federal ridings represented by Conservative MP Glen Motz and Poilievre himself.
Speaking in Calgary, Poilievre expressed concern that approximately one-quarter of Albertans supported the separation option. He argued that the level of dissatisfaction demonstrated the need to address regional grievances and strengthen national unity.
Meanwhile, former Alberta MLA Drew Barnes is preparing to launch a new federal political party, Alberta Now, with plans to contest all 37 federal ridings in the province.
Barnes said constituencies showing significant support for separation would play a central role in the party’s electoral strategy. He argued that many Albertans believe the existing political system fails to adequately represent their interests and that neither the Liberals nor the Conservatives have sufficiently addressed their concerns.
The proposed party would follow a model similar to the Bloc Québécois, concentrating exclusively on Alberta’s priorities in the House of Commons.
Although Barnes supported the separation option during the referendum, he said Alberta Now would respect the province’s decision to remain in Canada. The party would operate within the federal system while advocating for greater provincial influence and a more favourable relationship with Ottawa.
Barnes, a former member of the Wildrose Party and United Conservative Party, said he has collected the signatures necessary to register Alberta Now with Elections Canada and intends to submit the paperwork soon.
Conservative MP Dane Lloyd dismissed concerns that the proposed party could significantly undermine Conservative support in Alberta. He pointed to the approximately 1.4 million Albertans who voted Conservative in the last federal election as evidence that voters continue to view the party as their strongest advocate in Ottawa.
The referendum results nevertheless highlight a potential political challenge for the Conservatives, as dissatisfaction with federal-provincial relations creates an opening for a new party seeking to attract disillusioned Alberta voters.
