Alberta voters back remaining in Canada in preliminary results

A majority of voters in Alberta supported keeping the province in Canada, according to preliminary referendum results. The electoral authority will announce the official outcome on October 29.

Voters chose between retaining the province's current status and starting a legal process that could lead to a separate binding referendum on separation. Monday's vote did not itself authorize the province to leave Canada immediately.

UN Secretary-General's spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric described the results as clear when questioned by reporters and offered no extended assessment.

The electoral authority is continuing its verification of the preliminary count. Its rules provide for official results to be announced on the tenth day after voting.