Poll: Over 70% of Canadians Want Alberta and Quebec to Remain in Confederation
As discussions about potential separation referendums continue in both Quebec and Alberta, a new national poll from Angus Reid reveals that a substantial majority of Canadians outside those provinces would vote to keep them within the Canadian federation. The survey, conducted in February 2026, highlights significant concerns about economic consequences and potential international pressures that could follow any separation.
Strong National Support for Unity
When asked how they would vote on hypothetical separation questions, 79 percent of Canadians indicated they would choose to keep Alberta within Confederation, while 71 percent expressed the same preference for Quebec. These numbers demonstrate a clear national consensus against provincial separation, even as political discussions about sovereignty continue in both regions.
The poll revealed interesting regional variations in support levels. Ontarians showed the strongest backing for keeping both provinces in Canada, with 84 percent supporting Alberta's continued membership and 76 percent supporting Quebec's. Coastal regions also demonstrated substantial unity sentiment, with 83 percent of British Columbia and Atlantic Canada residents wanting Alberta to remain Canadian, and 73 percent expressing the same view about Quebec.
Regional Differences in Sentiment
The survey identified some notable exceptions to the national trend. Saskatchewan residents showed the lowest support levels among provinces, with only 62 percent saying they would vote to keep neighboring Alberta in the fold, and just 51 percent expressing support for Quebec's continued membership. Within the potential breakaway provinces themselves, the numbers revealed complex attitudes: 58 percent of Albertans would choose to keep Quebec in Canada, while 72 percent of Quebecers would vote to have Alberta stay.
Shachi Kurl, president of Angus Reid, described the results as "a tale of two separation narratives." She explained that "in Alberta the narrative is very much about Alberta's role economically in Confederation, versus what many Albertans feel is a sense of grievance that their role in the overall Canadian economy is not recognized or acknowledged." Regarding Quebec, she noted the province has "deep-seated, deep-rooted narratives around culture, language, identity, etc."
Economic Concerns Dominate Separation Discussions
Canadians expressed significant worries about the economic consequences of provincial separation. When asked about the potential impact on Canada's economy if Alberta left, 41 percent of respondents believed the consequences would be more negative than positive, while another 40 percent anticipated overwhelmingly negative effects. For Quebec's potential separation, 42 percent chose the "more negative than positive" option, with 20 percent expecting overwhelmingly negative outcomes.
Only eight percent of Canadians in each case thought separation would have an overwhelmingly positive effect on the nation's economy. Even within the provinces considering separation, doubts prevailed. In Alberta, just 36 percent felt the economic effects would be overwhelmingly positive (17 percent) or more positive than negative (19 percent). Quebec residents showed even greater skepticism, with only six percent expecting overwhelmingly positive economic outcomes and 18 percent anticipating more positive than negative effects.
International Pressure Concerns
The poll also examined Canadian perceptions of how the United States might respond to a newly separated province. Concerns about American intervention were particularly pronounced regarding Alberta, with 45 percent of Canadians believing the U.S. would definitely exert political pressure on a separated Alberta. Additionally, 44 percent expected there would be economic pressure, and 27 percent believed some form of military pressure was inevitable.
These concerns about international pressure add another layer to the separation debate, suggesting that Canadians recognize the geopolitical implications of provincial sovereignty movements. The potential for external influence on a newly independent province appears to factor significantly into public sentiment about maintaining national unity.
The Angus Reid poll provides comprehensive insight into Canadian attitudes toward provincial separation at a time when political discussions about sovereignty continue in both Quebec and Alberta. The strong national support for keeping both provinces within Confederation, combined with widespread concerns about economic consequences and international pressures, suggests that most Canadians view national unity as both desirable and practical for the country's future stability and prosperity.
