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Albertans head to polls in historic referendum on whether they want to stay in Canada
Albertans go to polls in historic separation vote
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Greg Halinda
Albertans head to the polls today for an historic vote on whether they want to stay in Canada.
More than 1.3 million Albertans have already cast ballots by mail or in advanced polls in a referendum called by Premier Danielle Smith.
They are being asked whether they want to stay in Canada or hold a second, binding referendum on leaving Confederation.
The vote caps months of rallies, speeches and analyses from both sides.Â
Smith's United Conservative Party never campaigned on holding a separation vote in the last election in 2023.
But Smith says some Albertans' anger with the state of affairs under former Liberal prime minister Justin Trudeau has boiled over into hundreds of thousands signing petitions for and against Confederation.Â
A referendum, she has said, is now necessary to resolve the matter once and for all.
The separation question is one of 10 on the ballot. The first nine focus on immigration and the Constitution.Â
The immigration questions ask Albertans whether the province should have more say on who comes to the province to work and whether it’s time to put more limitations -- and perhaps introduce fees -- on some who arrive and seek access to health care and education.Â
The constitutional questions ask Albertans for a blessing to pursue talks with other provinces on wresting power from the federal government and abolishing the Senate.
Smith says she voted to stay in Canada but says she needs a yes to those remaining nine questions to get a mandate to bargain with Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Carney came to Alberta last week to rally the pro-Canada forces but also to agree to disagree with Smith. He urged Albertans to reject the remaining questions.
"(Say) no to the nine," Carney told a Calgary crowd.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 19, 2026.
Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
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B.C. Conservatives platform promises $2.6 B in growth, $10.8B deficit
B.C. Conservatives promise $2.6B growth
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
The British Columbia Conservatives say their platform will create $2.6 billion in new revenue over three years, while shrinking the deficit to $10.8 billion by 2030.
The party says its platform — released days before the Oct. 24 election — amounts to restraint, not austerity.

The document says that if Gross Domestic Product grows by 2.5 per cent in 2027, 2.8 per cent in 2028, and 3.2 per cent in 2029, the province will collect an additional $2.62 billion over three years, compared with the NDP’s own forecast.
Conservatives say they will chop spending by freezing outside hiring, cutting consultants, and will review spending on numerous government ministries.Â
The 71-page platform says the core review would find about $1.8 billion over four years, while the hiring freeze and attrition of staff outside the front lines would save about $2 billion over the same period.
The New Democrats say they’ve costed interim Conservative leader Lorne Doerkson’s promises during the election and say income tax cuts and taking the PST off Canadian alcohol and other items would reduce revenues by more than $4.3 billion a year and boost the deficit by 33 per cent.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 18, 2026.
By Wolfgang Depner | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
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This Ontario Nordic spa hidden in a colourful forest is one of the best in North America
It's beautiful in the fall. 🍂
If you're looking for a magical spot to unwind, it might be time to book a trip to this dreamy Ontario spa. Nestled in a lush forest, the destination is a mini oasis with nature views, peaceful surroundings, and more.
It was even named among the Top 100 Spas of 2025 by Spas of America, a list highlighting standout wellness destinations across Canada, the U.S., the Dominican Republic, and Mexico.
Located 2 hours from Toronto in the Collingwood area, the Scandinave Spa Blue Mountain is a dreamy Nordic-style escape where you can completely unplug.
According to the website, it's "nestled within a 25-acre parcel of natural hardwood forest with expansive views of the UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve Niagara Escarpment."
The destination is stunning in the fall, when the forest transforms with shades of red, gold, and orange.
During your visit, you'll experience the spa's thermal journey, which features "outdoor hot pools, cold plunges, waterfalls, saunas, steam room and cozy relaxation areas surrounded by a forest setting."
The spa also offers a range of massage treatments and a forest bathing experience to unwind and connect with nature.
If you'd like to turn your visit into a multi-day getaway, you can also take advantage of overnight packages offered in partnership with select hotels nearby.
The spa is open year-round, so you can enjoy fiery autumn colours, summer greenery or a fresh blanket of winter snow depending on when you visit.
Rates start at $95 per person. If you want one of North America's best wellness experiences right here in Ontario, it might be time to treat yourself to a Scandinave Spa visit.
Scandinave Spa Blue Mountain
Price: $95 + per person
Address: 152 Grey Rd. 21, The Blue Mountains, ON
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