One in four Albertans still want Alberta to become an independent country

One in four Albertans would like to see the province become its own independent country.

According to a Research Co. poll, 23 per cent of Albertans openly endorse the idea of Alberta becoming independent from the rest of Canada.

The number of those seeking independence has dropped by two percentage points since a similar poll in February 2021.

The poll found that 70 per cent of Albertans oppose the idea.

"There is a remarkable political divide when Albertans ponder their allegiance to province and country," Research Co. president Mario Canseco said in a media release. "While only 17 per of those who voted for the New Democratic Party in the last provincial election say they are Albertans first, the proportion rises to 45 per cent among those who supported the United Conservative Party."

The prospect of an independent Western Canada is more appealing than Alberta going it alone.

Three-in-ten Albertans like the idea of B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba becoming one independent country.

One in five Albertans isn't opposed to joining the U.S. with 26 per cent of those aged 18-to-34 supporting this idea.

The poll found that 61 per cent consider themselves Canadians first, Albertan second, while 28 per cent say they are "Albertans first, Canadians second."

More than a third said Ralph Klein is the best premier the province has had since 1985, with Rachel Notley coming in second place at 20 per cent.

Forty per cent of Albertans said that Jason Kenney was the worst premier in recent times, with 19 per cent saying Rachel Notley was the worse and 12 per cent saying Alison Redford.

Half the population said they'd move to B.C. if they had to move provinces, while only 11 per cent said Saskatchewan, 10 per cent said Ontario, and 4 per cent said Nova Scotia.

READ MORE: Almost half of B.C.'s young adults say they'll leave the province: poll

To contact a reporter for this story, email Ben Bulmer or call (250) 309-5230 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.