Alberta to hold referendum on remaining part of Canada, premier announces

Independence supporters gather during a rally in front of the Elections Alberta headquarters in Edmonton, Canada, on May 4 (Image: Henry Marken / AFP via Getty Images)

ALBERTA is set to hold a referendum on whether to remain a part of Canada.

Danielle Smith, the conservative premier of the oil-rich eastern province, said: "Kicking the can down the road only prolongs a very emotional and important debate, and muzzling the voices of hundreds of thousands of Albertans wanting to be heard is unjustifiable in a free and democratic society."