A majority of Albertans disapprove of both Danielle Smith’s performance as premier and of her handling of the separatism issue, according to a new Ipsos poll that also found Albertans on both ends of the debate believe Smith supports the opposite side of their own.
“The premier’s level of approval and then her performance on the issue of separatism seem to be moving in lockstep right now,” said Darrell Bricker, chairman of Ipsos Canada and global CEO for Ipsos Public Affairs.
The Ipsos survey, conducted for Global News between May 28 and June 1, found 56 per cent of Albertans overall disapprove of the job she is doing as premier, compared with 38 per cent who approve, while six per cent are undecided.
The level of disapproval is notable, Bricker said.
“Really seems to be pleasing no one at the moment.”
More than four in 10 respondents, or 42 per cent, say they “strongly” disapprove of Smith’s performance, compared with 17 per cent who strongly approve.
“It’s a very thin sheet of ice the premier is skating on right now, very thin and narrow in terms of the space that she has to maneuver.”
The data varied depending on where the respondent lives, their age and gender, and how their political affiliations lie.
Smith’s approval is higher amongst men than women — 45 per cent versus 31 per cent — and higher among younger residents, with 45 per cent approval amongst those aged 18 to 34, compared with 31 per cent amongst those 55 and older.
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Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says separation question to be added to October referendum
Unsurprisingly, political affiliation strongly influenced perceptions of the premier.
Smith enjoys a 78 per cent approval rating among current UCP supporters. That support drops to 14 per cent of NDP voters and 16 per cent of undecided voters.
Bricker said the latest data perhaps isn’t as damning as it may appear on the surface.
“I mean, they’re down a bit more as a result of what’s going on with the sovereignty issue. If she’s able to get past the sovereignty issue, if she’s able to push it off the agenda, everybody’s had their say — maybe there’s a possibility here for recovery,” Bricker said.
“She may be more clever than I think people are giving her credit for. Even though her numbers are not that great at the moment, they’re still better than the NDP’s numbers and she’s performing about the same level as the leader of the opposition.”
Opposition NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi’s approval rating sits at 39 per cent — one point above Smith’s — and 44 per cent of respondents disapprove of him. Seventeen per cent are undecided on his performance.
Nenshi’s support is stronger among younger Albertans and in the province’s major cities. His approval rating amongst Calgary respondents is 44 per cent and in Edmonton is 42 per cent, compared with 31 per cent elsewhere in the province.
“Mr. Nenshi hasn’t found a way to really expand his support or appeal for the NDP as a potential government for the province of Alberta,” Bricker said.
58% disapprove of how Smith has handled separatism
Premier Smith’s approval of how she’s handled the separation issue is similar to her overall approval rating: 58 per cent of people polled say they disapprove, including 44 per cent who strongly disapprove. One-third, or 33 per cent, approve of her handling, while nine per cent are undecided.
Opinions on that question are more sharply divided along lines of support for separation.
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Among those who say they would vote to separate in a binding referendum, 79 per cent approve of Smith’s handling of the issue.
In contrast, of those who would vote to remain in Canada, 21 per cent express approval.
Approval on the issue also tends to be higher among men and younger residents, and again is strongest among UCP supporters — two-thirds of whom approve of the government’s approach.
Stay and go supporters both believe Smith on other side
The poll suggests many Albertans are unclear about Smith’s own position.
Both those who want Alberta to stay in Canada and those who want a binding referendum on separation think Smith wants the opposite of themselves.
Two-in-10 (21 per cent) residents are unsure whether Smith wants Alberta to stay or go, while 48 per cent believe she wants Alberta to separate from Canada, and 31 per cent believe she wants the province to remain.
Among those who would vote for Alberta to stay in Canada in a binding referendum, a majority — 55 per cent — think Smith favours separation. Conversely, among those who would vote to separate, 53 per cent believe Smith wants Alberta to remain in Canada.
Bricker says the findings point to widespread confusion or skepticism about the premier’s intentions, which extends across both sides of the debate.
“Both sides think differently of the premier,” Bricker said. “Now, you could look at that as being a problem, or you could also look at as a bit of a benefit.
“It’s not like she really stands out as being on one side of this issue or the other side of the issue, depending on who’s looking at it.”
Albertans question Smith’s motive
Questions about Smith’s motivations in proceeding with a referendum related to separation further highlight partisan divides, Ipsos found.
A slight majority of respondents, 52 per cent, say they believe the primary reason Smith is proceeding with a referendum is to protect her position as UCP leader and premier.
In contrast, 34 per cent say they believe the main motivation is to give Albertans a chance to have their say on the province’s future, which is the reasoning Smith gave on May 21 when announcing the separatism question would be added to the referendum on immigration and the Constitution she had previously announced in February.
“Both sides of the question are actually confused about what the premier’s motive is,” Bricker said.
Views diverge sharply depending on political allegiance. Two-thirds of UCP supporters, 67 per cent, say Smith’s motivation is to allow a public voice — while 25 per cent say it’s to protect her job.
Among NDP supporters, the pattern reverses: 81 per cent say she’s motivated by job protection and only 12 per cent attribute it to democratic considerations.
Undecided voters are more likely to see the move as politically motivated, though a significant portion remain unsure.
Alberta’s political landscape remains diverse — and undecided
The poll suggests Alberta’s political landscape remains highly competitive.
Among decided voters, the UCP holds a narrow lead, with 48 per cent support compared with 45 per cent for the NDP. Six per cent of respondents indicate support for other parties.
Regionally, the numbers show a nearly even split in Alberta’s two main cities amongst decided voters.
In Calgary, the NDP has 48 per cent support among decided voters, compared with 47 per cent for the UCP. In Edmonton, the NDP leads with 48 per cent to the UCP’s 44 per cent.
Outside those urban centres, the UCP holds a stronger advantage, leading by 16 points, with 56 per cent support compared with 40 per cent for the NDP.
“The race, if it was held today in terms of popular vote, looks like it would be pretty close,” Bricker said.
“But since the the UCP has a pretty considerable lead outside of the cities, which is how you win elections in the province of Alberta, they would probably still be in a pretty good position to form a government.”
The political support results exclude roughly 25 per cent of Albertans who say they are undecided or will not vote.
Alberta separatism support drops sharply from early 2026
The Ipsos poll also asked several questions about support for separatism, which has declined since the beginning of the year.
The data found 18 per cent of Albertans support leaving Canada — down 10 points from January, when 28 per cent of Albertans said they backed separation.
Bricker noted it’s important to remember for the most part, Albertans aren’t 100 per cent on either end of the spectrum.
“It’s not like people are all wildly enthusiastic about Canada or wildly enthusiastic of separatism. There’s a continuum here,” he said.
That previous Ipsos poll in January found about three in 10 residents supported independence, but a deeper dive revealed that when faced with the costs and consequences of doing so, only half of those interested in separatism are truly committed to following through.
For roughly half of separatist supporters, Ipsos found independence was more a political message to Ottawa than a plan they are prepared to suffer costs and sacrifices to achieve.
As the idea of holding a vote to split from Canada has gone from a vague idea to a more concrete plan, support for leaving has dropped — but that doesn’t mean the dissatisfaction has as well.
“There’s a lot of people who would vote for Alberta staying in Canada, that would like to see the relationship between Alberta and Canada change.
“So there’s a lot of opportunity here for the premier to maneuver within this situation.”
Multiple pollsters have asked Albertans and Canadians a range of similar questions to do with separatism and the data shows the needle has not budged much poll to poll, from month to month.
An Angus Reid Institute survey, conducted from May 22–24 after the province announced it was adding the 10th question to the referendum, found 60 per cent of respondents would vote to stay in Confederation, while 35 per cent said they would support beginning the process of separation.
A different poll in February by the Angus Reid Institute also found support for independence amongst the general public was at three in 10.
Albertans will go to the polls to vote in the 10-question referendum on Monday, Oct. 19.
The Ipsos poll was conducted May 28 to June 1, 2026 on behalf of Global News. For this survey, a sample of 1,500 Canadians aged 18+ was interviewed online, including 600 Alberta residents and 900 people from the rest of Canada. The data was statistically weighted by region, age, gender and education to ensure the sample composition reflects that of the actual Canadian population according to Census data. The precision of Ipsos polls containing online data is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the overall poll of 1,500 Canadians is accurate to within +/- 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, had all adult Canadian residents been polled. Questions asked of Albertans only (n=600) have a credibility interval of +/- 4.9 percentage points. Questions asked of Canadians outside Alberta (n=900) have a credibility interval of +/- 4.0 percentage points. The credibility interval will be wider among subsets of the population. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error, and measurement error.
I think your little Ipsos poll is lacking the truth….we all know the majority of Albertan’s are happy with what Danielle Smith is doing for the province soooo…..start reporting the truth!
Global News is sadly swaying the optics by picking 900 Canadians outside of Alberta for this article. Truly shameful….it is why we have stopped watching their reporting in Calgary. Their biases are obvious!
U KNOW IT
June 9, 2026 at 4:05 am
ROFLMFAO !!! I THOUGHT SHE WAS ALBERTA’S SAVIOUR
She’s very well liked in Alberta, 2027 election will prove that. Don’t let bought and paid for media fool you to think otherwise.
ROFLMFAO !!! I THOUGHT SHE WAS ALBERTA’S SAVIOUR
Funny how there’s always this fat pig named Roy Stephenson, always using pseudonames (“Alexei Novalny” and “Nikita Khruschev” below), who’s the only f *ucking ret ard on this site that blames comments on “Russians.” hahahah
Carney is building a debt like has never been imagined. None of his brainless cheerleaders can make it sound any different.
Most of your respondents have no clue what Carney is doing. I’m happy to tell you. Building a nation! Yup that’s what it takes. Money 🤑.
Funny how every time there’s filth here, it traces back to a Russian troll farm ISP address.
Classy Russians. lol
Hope Ukraine drops more drones.
Albertans are realizing how much money Smith is wasting with this tripe.
It would be nice if Smith quit.
Then we’d get some firefighters for this summer.
The filth is coming from a Russian troll who is too cowardly to enlist.
Peter Belinski the coward.
He poses as Canadians. He wishes!
With all the filth in these comments, it won’t be long and this comment section will be shut down
Do you guys like how f *ucking stupid I am? I’m such a moron I can’t even make a subtle change to my writing style, thinking i’m fooling anyone that’s been here a while that “Alexei Novalny” isn’t really the loser Roy Stephenson, sexual predator from Kitchener, ON.
Actually, the Canada’s enemies are the commie f *uckers on here that are the ones that are against Albertans voicing their opinion for a referendum. Like the piece of sh it below me.
Danielle should tell us why Canada’s enemies like the commies on here like “Carney’s…” back her.
Reason? She sucks.
Why are Smith’s fans stupid? “I seen?” And they have foreign ISP addresses like the two just below this. It’s the Russsian coward Peter Belinski writing about his obsessions.
Wonder why hostiles like Smith?
but the truth is i would love to ride Nenshi’s pole, he makes my butt hole pucker
i seen in the comments. the liberal bots are out in full force goes with the fake poles and propaganda ,you are not fooling anyone
She’s nuts but where’s her red clown nose?
June 8, 2026 at 10:17 am
@anonymous: I wouldn’t sign your zhit either. All polls show Albertans getting sick of all her recalls and referendums while Albertans die waiting in ERs.
But hey, who needs her fired firefighting helicopter crews. Ask Jasper. No need.
Let me guess your from Ontario.
“Nenshi’s support is stronger among younger Albertans.”
This doesn’t surprise me as our youth are no longer taught commonsense or critical thinking. Not to mention that she just held a pro-Canada rally.
Notice that after all the propaganda and spin at the end of the article they tell you the polling details. Done on behalf of Global, with 50% more polled outside of Alberta. Heard corporate media studios burn real good.
Nenshi’s approval rating just passed DaniQ. LOL
He promised not to fire any more firefighters.
Danielle’s most vocal supporters on here have ISP addresses from Moscow and Calcutta. Go figure.
She’s nuts.
I wished I wasn’t a Putin puke.
Oh look! The coward Peter Belinski is back after once again being cowardly about Ukraine. He insstead pretends he’s Canadian. bwahahahahahaha….that’ll help you commies on the battlefield! lol
I wish I lived in Alberta. More little kids for me to play hide and seak with, and spank their bums. Also, more manly men for me to bend over and get my bum bum filled with cream.
@anonymous: I wouldn’t sign your zhit either. All polls show Albertans getting sick of all her recalls and referendums while Albertans die waiting in ERs.
But hey, who needs her fired firefighting helicopter crews. Ask Jasper. No need.
“For this survey, a sample of 1,500 Canadians aged 18+ was interviewed online, including 600 Alberta residents and 900 people from the rest of Canada.”
“Most” Albertans! haha yea right…. 900 people from the rest of Canada were polled.
Not even remotely close, wait until 2027 when she has a even bigger majority.
Albertan’s aren’t stupid! Take one good look at the latest NDP convention and it will show you the reason why Smith will again hands down.
Smith knows loyalty. In high school her nickname was two faced. Two hubbies. Then promises made to Wild Rose that she backstabbed. Then Jason Kenney.
Then Canada. Then the UCP’s separatists.
Yup. She’s as loyal as a hyena with rabies.
350,000 dead Russians so far and Peter Belinski the Russkie coward spends his days on here. lol…
Filthy Russkie cowards on here today. Peter Belinski is a huge COWARD who won’t enlist in Ukraine. Chicken hawk azzhole.
Skank Smith wasting tons of tax dollars.
Who cares if hospitals here suck?
most Alberta’s disapprove of you and your shamefully baised reporting
I wear a strap-on because I have no co ck.
She fools the hillbillies..
I wanted an actual journalism career but had to settle for this gig for an entertainment company, spewing out propaganda and lies. I guess I could have ended up worse though. Prostitution? Drug mule?
Did I fool anyone by saying she supports separatism when in reality she’s said multiple times she supports an Alberta that’s part of Canada?
Probably not. My brain is so full of c um because of all the c ocks I suck.
Sith is doing a great job for Alberta. the liberal government HAS ALMOST COMPLETLY DESTROYED CANADA in only ten years
Smith is making a mockery of Alberta. Terrible leader.
Danielle smith all for separatism , this is not good for our swinger groups . when we all meet up to so swap seamen, this subject is the elephant in the room
she has done everything she can to promote the separatist, it makes me so mad! that is all i think about when i am suck c.,o.ck , its hard to swallow or concentrate when his balls are slapping my chin
this so funny the liberal supported news lol your pole is full of S**t and you know it ,
Majority do not disapprove of Smith. Cry me a river. She will get in again. Such balderdash.
Last week a poll showed that the UCP would easily win an Election. Now the Media buts out a other Poll, which seems more of an Attack story than a Poll. The Media & NDPLiberals use these Bias polls to influence Elections yet they are so BIAS in there Questions, who they Poll & the Small #’s of People. Amazing how the Best Province in.CANADA in everyday is Hated & that Hate is used by the Left to get Votes. We see constant attacks on Seperation, but it’s OK for Quebec to have Sepertist in Parliament pushing only for Quebec Benefits. Don’t let MISS INFORMATION, Influence the Broader Picture that Alberta just wants a FAIR SHAKE & Maybe some Appreciation for the Billions we contribute to Confederation!!!
I find it amusing that the separatist cool aid drinkers continue to insist that there’s a majority of the voter age adults in Alberta in favour of becoming an independent country. If the 300,000 names, illegally obtained with our stolen voter’s list, is even close to be true, that’s a whole 10%. Oh so scary, just leave already.
Worst premier we have ever had ,a perfect trump clone!
She REALLY wants to be Governor Smith!
So far she has done everything she can to promote the separatist cause; sadly!
The polls done for B.C. NDP Global News are always incorrect.
Commenters question the polling methodology whenever data is released to show that the separatists are just a small portion of society, unworthy of the media attention they get. Mass petition signings concentrates their numbers to make it look like the movement is more popular than it really is.
It’s not a conspiracy. There are dozens of them!
This is just classic Global.
Management there has their political opinion. They want to express said opinion in effective way. They pay/contract IPSOS to conjure up one of their statistically weak polls (they are conducted online – the “Credibility Intervals” are very incorrect) to buffer their opinion. A week later, vwalla: “Hi Global readers, this is the reality we’ve discovered about YOU.”
Don’t fall for it.
Talk about a propaganda piece.
The poll surveyed 1500 people, only 600 from Alberta and 900 from the rest of Canada but the headline claims ” Albertans”
@Raul77
Agreed. 100%.
Moderators: Why is the THIS IS MY COUNTRY post still up?
Don’t cry for me Alberta. The truth is we never left YOU. All through the wild days of our mad existence, we kept our promise. Don’t you keep distance.
“An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.” – Winston Churchill
Smith created this crocodile with her “Alberta Next” UCP-only rural grievance sessions last summer. I hope it eats her now.
The main thing for Canadians is will they still have a job next month when carney is finished. and perhaps worry if their children will ever be able to afford their own house. But Canada did it to themselves, not Trump with their open border immigration. Put themselves out of work and became 2nd class citizens in their own country. Can’t blame Trump being gutless and allowing this to happen in your own country. I know! that just pizzez U off. Truth works that way.
Anonymous
June 7, 2026 at 11:13 am
Raul77, your FKED in the head
Can’t be, I am not Canadian.
“Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.” (George Carlin)
The UCP, Alberta separatists, and Smith are proof!
I think Smith and the indians have caused enough damage to MY COUNTRY! Time to stand against it! The ch*gs want to start civil disobedience, they leave me and mine no choice but to defend ourselves. And believe me, we will.
Im sick of all the minorities INCLUDING government ones screwing with MY COUNTRY! HOW THE F*CK DARE YOU screw with something that is free and gives you everything!? GO F*CK YOURSELVES!!
Rural Albertans may just be the dumbest people on earth. They protest against data centres, and are pleading for hospital funding, but vote for the same year after year.
Raul77, your FKED in the head
This isn’t news. Its a fraud poll being amplified media exerting its influence in politics. This article fails to meet any journalistic standard.
According to unregulated polling firms that can just make things up as they please.
Now that BC has the potential to have some leadership in the Cons…maybe Sask and BC will join BC in picking prosperity!! One can hope!
@Guess Not
Whose facts?
@William H, but here you are reading Global reporting. If their reporting upsets you quit reading their articles, which by the way are fact driven.
Cherry picking polls to push narratives is lazy journalism
Vincent Alexander
June 7, 2026 at 9:07 am
Being raped becomes a habit that is hard to stop!
Danielle Smith had done more for the rights of Alberta than anyone for the past 20 years. But when it comes down to a fight the rats always jump ship and turns on those who have done the best good!
She put herself in the position she is in.
-Premier Danielle Smith facilitated a separatist-driven referendum by altering provincial petition laws and judicial oversight. These changes successfully paved the way for an October 19, 2026 ballot question asking voters whether to commence the legal processes required for secession, she did this.
-I voted for her and she will have to come clean to her voters and fess up to –c—- up.
-Her politicking from here on in will determine her future for me anyway.
Most Albertans or most in the left wing nuthouse Edmonton.
Smith has been upsetting people on both sides of the separation movement. Smith promoting an MOU with Carney when there is still the tanker bans on the west coast. She keeps promoting Alberta stays in Canada without any solid reasons why. Having a separation vote in the first place. No one is happy.
It is all fake and had been from the start. Just a way to get the government to give Alberta what it wants with threats that are meaningless. No one is ever going to separate. True, Trump said 51st state but it has been Canadian medias that has been pounding that statement constantly. Anyone watching this freak show knew it was all fake from the start. The only people who ever thought there was any reality in this are those who still believe in Bigfoot and ghosts. No more needs to be said!
Global News you should be ashamed. You are no better than CNN for causing terrible damage to your country. You all should be charged with collusion. Stop with your opinion and start reporting the solid facts. The vast majority of Albertan’s despise the treacherous NDP. MOST Albertan’s love the work that Danielle Smith is accomplishing to make this province and its people prosperous. Global News is just another Liberal/NDP puppet rag.
Smith is like a circus rider who has been doing tricks while standing on two running horses. When the horses decided to go in two different directions, where else could she go but down?