The path for a referendum on separation in Alberta was laid out by Premier Danielle Smith, even though she has been adamant that she does not support the movement. In Saskatchewan, Premier Scott Moe has said his government does not support separation, but he wouldn't stand in the way of a vote.

As these dual referendums loom, new data from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute finds that support in Alberta and Saskatchewan for their respective province to leave confederation is still a minority (36% Alberta, 34% Saskatchewan). And those minorities shrink when assessing how serious the support is - few in Alberta (19%) or Saskatchewan (15%) say they would "definitely" vote to leave were a referendum to be held.

These questions of separation come as Smith presents a series of a demands for the incoming Liberal minority government under Prime Minister Mark Carney, including numerous requests on oil and gas infrastructure and policy. These data find that some concessions from the Carney government could do much to quell Alberta and Saskatchewan unrest.

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