What’s the personal story behind how you will vote in the Alberta separation referendum? Share it on CBC News

What’s the personal story behind how you will vote in the Alberta separation referendum? Share it on CBC News

If you cannot vote in this election, what would you say to Alberta voters?

In October 2026, Alberta will have a referendum on many questions, including separation.

Specifically, the ballot will ask: should Alberta remain a province of Canada or should the Government of Alberta commence the legal process required under the Canadian Constitution to hold a binding provincial referendum on whether or not Alberta should separate from Canada?

We're looking for several people to publish their perspectives on CBC. Not the same political commentators, but real people with real stakes who are willing to share the why behind how they feel. It’s a personal story that led to your point of view — not just an opinion.

To express your interest, please fill out this Google form.

Perhaps you feel passionately that independence is the answer for Alberta’s challenges. If so, do you have a personal experience that can help others understand why? On the other hand, if you’re passionate about staying in Canada, is there a value that shapes your decision, and can you trace why that value is so important for you?

If you're Indigenous, how are you navigating conversations around separation, treaty rights and identity? If you have a family member or friend who is on the opposite side of the debate, how does that play out at your dinner table?

Or maybe you recently became a Canadian citizen after moving to Alberta — what feelings or memories does the debate bring up for you?

If you live in other parts of Canada:

How is the discussion around separation impacting you? If you live in a community, such as Saskatchewan, where there is support for separation, what are you hoping to see and what personal experience made you feel that way? If you live in Quebec and voted in its referendum, how did that referendum shape your identity going forward?

Did you immigrate from a country that had its own referendum to separate or formed its own separate nation, and how did that experience impact how you view this referendum vote in Alberta?

If you feel like your perspective isn't represented or heard on a national stage, here's your chance to help change that.

This is a paid writing opportunity and you don't have to be a professional writer. You’ll work one-on-one with a CBC editor to refine your idea and produce your piece. We’ll support you each step of the way.

Want to see previous First Person columns we've published? Check out our website and review our FAQ.

Questions? Email us at firstperson@cbc.ca.

Elise Stolte runs project-based engagement efforts for the CBC Calgary newsroom. She has 20 years of experience telling the stories of her community and has been recognized for feature writing, social impact and community-based journalism. You can reach her at elise.stolte@cbc.ca.