One-third of Westerners support independence, joining US — if Liberals win federal election

A new Angus Reid poll shows support for Western independence remains significant, with many respondents indicating the outcome of the federal election is a significant factor.

About 30% of Albertans and 33% of Saskatchewanians said they would leave Canada if Mark Carney and the Liberals win the federal election on April 28 — otherwise, the numbers drop to 25% and 20% respectively.

Respondents support either a sovereign state or joining the US. Alberta independence activist, Calgary lawyer Jeffrey Rath, earlier told the Western Standard the first step would be independence from Canada, and the decision to join the US would come next.

The survey, released April 6, found “perceived respect” — or lack thereof — as a major factor in the Western desire to break up with Canada. Only about a quarter of Albertans (24%) and Saskatchewanians (25%) believe their province is respected by the rest of the country.

These figures compare to Quebeckers who want independence — 30% want to leave if Carney becomes the next prime minister, and 28% want to leave in general. However, 52% believe their province is respected by the rest of the country.

The study was conducted by the non-profit from March 20 to March 24 through an online survey from a random sample of 2,400 Canadian adults who are members of the Angus Reid Forum. The data has a margin of error of +/- 2 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.