There has been a growing separatist movement in recent years in the oil-rich province, fuelled in part by a belief that it is overlooked by decision-makers in Ottawa.
Opinion polls suggest that the majority of Albertans would vote against separating, with about 25% saying they support independence. A pro-unity petition gathered some 400,000 signatures earlier this year.
Still, pressure had been building on Alberta’s leader, Danielle Smith, to hold an independence referendum this year. A petition calling for separation recently gathered more than 300,000 signatures – enough needed to trigger a vote.
But a successful legal challenge earlier this month by First Nations groups in the province halted the process of verifying petition signatures and placed the plebiscite in limbo.
The judge ruled that the Alberta government, which approved the petition, failed in its duty to consult with indigenous Albertans.
Smith has said she disagrees with the court decision and, while it prevents her from moving forward with a binding referendum now, she believes Albertans want a say in the matter.
On Thursday, she announced that citizens will vote 19 October on whether the province should remain in Canada or whether the provincial government should begin the legal process required to hold a binding referendum at a later date on Alberta independence.
“I will not have a legal mistake by a single judge silence the voices of hundreds of thousands of Albertans,” Smith said. “Alberta’s future will be decided by Albertans, not the courts.”
In the meantime, her government is appealing the court ruling, she said, noting it could be a lengthy legal battle.
The premier said she will vote in favour of Alberta remaining a part of Canada.