British Columbia Premier David Eby said Monday that a proposed Alberta separatism referendum empowers people who want to break Canada apart.

The statement highlights growing tension between Western Canadian provinces and the federal structure as separatist movements gain enough momentum to trigger formal votes.

Speaking in a media interview broadcast by CTV News, Eby said the referendum is not what Canadians want. He said the process "empowers the people who would break our country up and sell us for parts."

The push for a referendum follows a petition by an Alberta separatist group. The group submitted 302,000 signatures [1], which exceeds the 178,000 required to trigger the vote [1].

Eby said the move would divide the country. He said the referendum serves interests that do not align with the broader will of the Canadian population.

The premier's comments come as Alberta continues to navigate complex disputes with the federal government over resource management and regional autonomy. While the petition has met the technical requirements for a vote, the political implications for the federation remain a point of contention among provincial leaders.

“It empowers the people who would break our country up and sell us for parts.”

The ability of a separatist movement to gather nearly double the required signatures for a referendum indicates a significant level of organized discontent within Alberta. Premier Eby's reaction signals that the potential for provincial secession is being viewed by other provincial leaders not just as a local Alberta issue, but as a systemic threat to the stability of the Canadian federation.