Alberta separatists have vowed to continue their push for independence after voters rejected a plan to hold a binding referendum on leaving Canada.
At a watch party in Edmonton on Monday, supporters gathered around televisions and checked their phones as the results came in. Despite the setback, many insisted the vote would not bring their movement to an end.
“We’ve already won,” said separatist leader Jeffrey Rath, arguing that the campaign had built a major movement and dominated political debate in the province over the past year. Rath said the next step would be to gain control of Alberta’s United Conservative Party and form a government.
Other supporters echoed that determination, arguing that the movement would emerge stronger regardless of the result.
Despite the rejection of the referendum plan, Alberta’s separatists say their campaign is far from over.