Canada: Alberta to hold nonbinding referendum on secession from Canada.

RESTRICTION: USERS MUST CREDIT “GOVERNMENT OF ALBERTA” HANDOUT — EDITORIAL USE ONLY — ALEBRTA, CANADA (MAY 2, 2026) (GOVERNMENT OF ALBERTA - RESTRICTED) 1. VARIOUS OF ALBERTA PREMIER DANIELLE SMITH SPEAKING (English) RESTRICTION: USERS MUST CREDIT “GOVERNMENT OF ALBERTA” HANDOUT — EDITORIAL USE ONLY — ALEBRTA, CANADA - MAY 2, 2026: Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has announced on Friday, May 22, that the province will hold a non-binding referendum on October 19, 2026, asking residents whether Alberta should remain part of Canada or move toward a future binding vote on separation. Alberta is Canada’s oil-rich western province, with a population of around 5 million and significant energy resources, including vast oil sands reserves. Writing by Ayse Elif Erdis