There’s disappointment and hope among Albertans who supported the idea of independence
Following a referendum where three-quarters of Albertans voted to remain in Canada, supporters of the independence movement are reflecting on the results. While disappointed, many activists feel the campaign successfully brought the conversation about sovereignty into the mainstream.
Why it matters
The article captures the social and political sentiment of a regional separatist movement in Canada and its future trajectory.
We met many people on both sides of the debate.
Now that the results have come in, with three-quarters of Albertans voting to stay in Canada, we reached out to some of the community members who supported the other side to see how they feel and what they would like to see happen next.
There were many emotions — hope, disappointment, contentment.
Vicky Bayford lives in Innisfail, Alta., north of Calgary. She's pictured here in her backyard in 2026. (Submitted by Vicky Bayford)
Vicky Bayford saw the results when she finished scrutineering early Tuesday morning. She had been hopeful, watching numbers near 50 per cent for Option 2 from her polling station in Innisfail, a town of nearly 9,000 people an hour’s drive north of Calgary.
Bayford said the provincewide tally of 25 per cent was disappointing, but not surprising.
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