Canada's Alberta province will conduct an October referendum on separation, though the vote will not directly decide independence. Voters will decide if the province should pursue steps toward a future binding referendum on leaving the federation.

Canada's oil-producing province of Alberta will hold an October referendum on separation from Canada, but Premier Danielle Smith said on Thursday the vote would not directly decide independence. Instead, voters will be asked whether the province should take constitutional steps toward a future binding referendum on leaving the federation.