The premier of Alberta says she will hold a referendum next year on the energy rich province separating from Canada if citizens gather the required number of signatures on a petition.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said she and Prime Minister Mark Carney had a constructive phone call, but “until I see tangible proof of real change, Alberta will be taking steps to better protect ourselves from Ottawa.

Activists would need signatures from a reduced fraction of Albertans to force a referendum, thanks to a new UCP bill. But to actually win separation, they must climb a much higher wall (and most oppose the idea).