Separation anxiety: Canada Day evokes patriotism, pride and melancholy in Alberta

Alberta’s separation from the rest of the country was on the minds of Maple Leaf clad Albertans in the province’s largest city as they celebrate the birth of Confederation.

With a headband that waved floating maple leaves above her crown like thought bubbles, Candace Gillies said from Calgary she chose to dress with extra patriotic fervour this year as the province considers leaving Canada. 

“We’re out here and we’re going to make it loud and proud that we’re Canadian and Albertan because that’s what it is, Canada and Alberta together,” said Gillies, 46, who has lived in Calgary for nearly three decades.

Federalists and separatists say they hope Albertans will spend some time this Canada Day thinking about what the country has done for them.

On Oct. 19, voters are to decide whether they want the province to remain in Canada or to start the process for holding a second, binding vote on quitting Confederation.

The campaign period for the referendum began in May, and a number of groups have formed to try and sway public opinion.

Gillies was among those in Calgary celebrating Canada Day who feel passionately about remaining in the country. 

She said remaining in Canada is especially important to her because her 10-year-old son had a heart transplant and benefits from public health care.

“Canada provides so much for his medical needs and health that if we left Canada, we would move. We would move out, to go back to Canada,” she said. 

Both she and Halim Ezimokhai say they’ll be voting to stay in Canada.

Ezimokhai, 36, was raised in the Middle East and immigrated to Canada in 2007.

“I did my university degree here, met my beautiful wife, have my gorgeous kids, so I’ve actually lived maybe close to half my life in Canada now at this point,” he said. 

“Canada means the world to me,” he added. 

Ezimokhai said he understands everyone has their reasons for wanting to separate, but the thought of leaving Canada breaks his heart.

Other passersby through Eau Claire Plaza, a popular gathering spot in Calgary’s downtown, wore Forever Canadian shirts or hats in support of a pro-Canada petition that started last year.

Thomas Lukaszuk, the former deputy premier who spearheaded the petition, wants Albertans to appreciate the freedom that Canada affords its residents and how the country serves as a global role model.

Keith Wilson, a lawyer campaigning for the province to go its own way, says Albertans should take heed of their affordability challenges and consider the politicking needed for Ottawa to be open to producing and moving Alberta’s lifeblood oil resources.

To his chagrin, Lukaszuk has been back on the road in what he calls the Unity Bus. The motorhome decked out in the Maple Leaf motif that he used for his petition campaign is now cruising across Alberta so he can hand out pro-Canada lawn signs. 

His petition of more than 400,000 names called on Premier Danielle Smith to avoid a referendum and instead make it provincial policy that separation is off the table.

When a judge threw out a competing separatist referendum petition last month, Smith cited Lukaszuk’s signature count and the separatists’ claim of 300,000 names to say she thinks enough Albertans want to see the matter put to rest once and for all at the polls.

She said even though she’ll be voting for Alberta to stay, many have a decade-long list of grievances with Ottawa over its energy and environmental policies.

Lukaszuk said he’s still holding out hope that Smith calls off the referendum.

But in any event, it’s a “moment of awakening” for Albertans.

“There comes a time, for every generation, where we have to stand up for what we stand for and be courageous and not allow negative forces to win simply because of apathy,” he said.

Lukaszuk plans to start Canada Day with a campaign stop in Calgary before driving to Edmonton for an evening celebration. In between, he’ll stop at a Red Deer brewery to unveil a new beer with his Forever Canadian message.

Wilson also plans to be at a celebration but one that promotes Alberta independence.

He’ll be spending Canada Day in Mirror, a hamlet east of Red Deer, where a café owner and fellow separation supporter is throwing an “Albertans’ Day Rally” with speeches, musical performances and activities for kids.

“A typical Canada Day celebration type event but with an Alberta theme,” he said.

Reflecting on Canada’s 159th birthday has Wilson feeling both sad and hopeful.

“The sadness comes from Canada changing so much,” he said.

“Canada is not the country it once was — economically, from a quality-of-life perspective, from affordability, from the perspective of people achieving their potential.

“For myself and many others here in Alberta, we then look at, well, what Alberta could be.”

Prime Minister Mark Carney and Smith are hoping Albertans reach the opposite conclusion.

Carney is set be in Edmonton, where he’s expected to speak at a Canada Day event. Smith plans to be in Calgary celebrating the country’s birthday at Spruce Meadows, an equestrian and entertainment facility.

And on Thursday, the premier is to make an announcement about her government’s proposed bitumen pipeline to the West Coast. She has touted the proposed pipeline and associated energy deal with Carney as proof that Albertans shouldn’t give up on Canada.

Wilson said the fact that an energy deal is needed at all proves Confederation isn’t working.

“Ottawa controls Alberta,” he said, “and is holding back our prosperity.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 1, 2026.

— With files from Dayne Patterson in Calgary

By Jack Farrell | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.