Unofficial results from Alberta’s referendum on whether the province should stay in Canada show a decisive lead for remaining part of the country — and Fort McMurray’s two provincial ridings are trending the same way, though substantial counting is still to come.
Provincial picture: clear lead for remaining in Canada
As of the morning update, Elections Alberta had reported results from 4,554 of 5,586 polls on Question 10. Across the province 1,405,957 votes — roughly 75.5 per cent of ballots counted on the question so far — favoured Alberta remaining in Canada. Another 455,597 votes, about 24.5 per cent, supported the government beginning the constitutional process necessary to hold a future, binding referendum on separation. In total, 1,861,554 votes had been tallied on Question 10.
With roughly 81.5 per cent of polls reporting and a margin approaching one million votes, the unofficial provincial result indicates a strong preference among voters to stay in Canada. Elections Alberta continues to count ballots and has not yet certified the outcome.
Fort McMurray results: early counts show similar margin
Locally, counts presented a similar pattern but are drawn from a much smaller portion of polling stations.
- Fort McMurray–Lac La Biche: 18 of 63 polls reported. Of 7,963 ballots counted, 5,053 (about 63.5 per cent) favoured remaining in Canada and 2,910 (about 36.5 per cent) favoured beginning the process toward a binding separation referendum.
- Fort McMurray–Wood Buffalo: 7 of 40 polls reported. Of 9,589 votes counted, 6,142 (about 64 per cent) supported staying in Canada while 3,447 (about 36 per cent) supported initiating the constitutional process toward separation.
Those local percentages could change as remaining polls report; turnout and demographic patterns in unreported polls may shift final results in either direction. The provincial count remains unofficial until Elections Alberta completes certification.
What voters were asked and what comes next
Question 10 asked Albertans to choose between two options: remain a province of Canada or have the provincial government begin the legal steps under the Constitution to hold a binding referendum on separation at a later date. Elections Alberta prioritised counting and reporting the results for Question 10 first; officials continue to process ballots on the other nine referendum questions.
"The results remain unofficial until certified by Elections Alberta,"
The current tally gives a clear immediate indication of voter sentiment, but the final certified totals will be the authoritative record and could influence political responses and next steps in the legislature and among parties or movements that campaigned around the referendum.
| Jurisdiction | Polls reported | Votes for remain | Votes to begin process |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta (so far) | 4,554 of 5,586 | 1,405,957 (≈75.5%) | 455,597 (≈24.5%) |
| Fort McMurray–Lac La Biche | 18 of 63 | 5,053 (≈63.5%) | 2,910 (≈36.5%) |
| Fort McMurray–Wood Buffalo | 7 of 40 | 6,142 (≈64%) | 3,447 (≈36%) |
For Fort McMurray residents, the early numbers reflect the broader provincial direction but also underscore that local outcomes can lag behind provincial reporting. The area’s counts are based on a minority of polls so far, leaving room for change as more returns are processed. Observers and local stakeholders will be watching the certified totals closely for definitive guidance on how the result will shape political strategy and public debate in the region.
