The key facts

  • Alberta voters rejected a plan for a binding referendum on independence from Canada
  • Separatist leader Jeffrey Rath declared: 'We have already won' and vowed to continue the fight
  • Rath announced plans to gain control of the United Conservative Party of Alberta

Voters reject referendum plan

Voters in the Canadian province of Alberta rejected a plan to hold a binding referendum on leaving Canada. Despite this, separatists said they do not intend to end their campaign for independence.

Reaction of movement supporters

On Monday at a party in Edmonton, supporters of the movement watched incoming results on televisions and phones. Despite the setback, many of them insisted that the vote would not be the end of the movement.

Statement by the separatist leader

'We have already won,' said separatist leader Jeffrey Rath. According to him, the campaign over the past year has created a large movement and dominated the province's political debates. The next step, Rath said, would be to gain control of the United Conservative Party of Alberta and form a government.

Mood in the movement after the defeat

Other supporters of the movement expressed similar resolve, arguing that it would emerge from the situation stronger regardless of the outcome. According to Euronews, Alberta separatists say their campaign is far from over.