Albertans in small town south of Edmonton line up to sign petition calling for independence referendum
Posted January 13, 2026 8:34 am.
Last Updated January 13, 2026 11:23 am.
In Millet, a small town less than an hour south of Edmonton, many Albertans used their Monday night to sign a petition calling for an independence referendum from Canada.
The lineup to get inside the Millet Community Hall went out the door and onto the sidewalk. Later in the evening, it reached the nearby fire hall.
Inside the community hall, people could sign the petition and listen to an information session hosted by Stay Free Alberta, the organizers for the signature phase.
The group says it is independent from the group that submitted the petition, Alberta Prosperity Project.
By May 2, 177,732 signatures are needed to put the question “Do you agree Alberta should cease to be part of Canada to become an independent state” to a referendum vote.
People in line told CityNews one thing was on their mind: change.
“I want to see us like Quebec. They seem to get everything they want, a lot of funding,” said Tim Bohn from Leduc.
Bohn thinks Alberta should stay in Canada, “but have some say in our government.”
“To get our own country going,” said Earl Langston, who lives near Millet. “We need to be separated from the east, no more control.”
The desire to have a separation referendum continues to potentially face roadblocks. Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation has launched legal action against the Alberta government for allowing the independence petition to proceed, which they say violates the Treaty between First Nations and the federal government. They are calling for an injunction to block the petition.
An opposing citizen initiative petition called Alberta Forever Canada received more than 400,000 verified signatures according to Elections Alberta, and it was submitted to the Legislative Assembly.
Those supporting independence hope the petition reaches one million signatures.
“You got to try something. If you’re in a sinking ship, do you jump or hope it gets better?” said Chris Sills. “We’re tired of having no voice in a country that is falling apart and going broke without admitting it.”
