TORONTO – Edmonton Oilers superstar captain Connor McDavid has been named the winner of the Ted Lindsay Award for a record-tying fifth time.

The honour is voted on by the NHL Players’ Association for “the most outstanding player in the NHL.”

The 29-year-old centre joined Wayne Gretzky as the only two players to ever win the award five times.

McDavid became the third-fastest player to reach 1,200 points in NHL history with 784 games, behind only Gretzky (504 games) and Mario Lemieux (593 games).

He recorded his eighth season with at least 70 assists, tying Lemieux for the second-most 70-plus assist seasons after Gretzky (15 seasons).

McDavid finished with 138 points (48 goals, 90 assists) and went on to win the Art Ross Trophy as the league’s leading scorer for the sixth time, tying Gordie Howe and Lemieux for second-most wins behind Gretzky (10 wins).

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 7, 2026.

© 2026 The Canadian Press

Potholes litter Saskatoon’s roads every spring but this year seems to be worse: The number of pothole claims stood at 338 as of June 3, more than double both last year’s number and the 10-year average of 150 claims per year.

Staff from a local glass store that does deliveries say drivers have had more trouble with potholes in 2026 compared to previous years.

“They definitely have complained about how much there is and worries about, again, the longevity of product that comes in,” said Michael McLachlan, sales and marketing manager at Sunview Windows. “We’ve definitely had vehicles show up where things have shifted a lot more than usual.”

McLachlan said he hasn’t noticed much of an increase in potholes himself, but noted they are getting bigger.

Jae Malinowski, owner of Faithfull Tirecraft, says 2026 has been one of the worst years for potholes, with his clients suffering mechanical damage to their vehicles that’s costing hundreds to thousands of dollars to repair.

“We actually had one client where SGI requested getting a vehicle safety inspection done because of the mechanical damage that was done to their vehicle including their suspension, wheels, tires. That mechanical repair turned into about $3,200 from just getting a pothole,” he said.

While the freeze-thaw cycle has made it tricky for the city to keep up, work crews had repaired 2,000 out of 4,400 potholes as of June 3. To expedite the work, the city has added crews and contractors  to the repair effort.

Watch above for more on what people in the city are saying about potholes.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

Fanny Bay Oyster Bar and Shellfish Market

Executive Chef Alex Guido

 

Uni Linguine Alfredo

 

Uni Cream Sauce

· 2 liters heavy cream (plus 1 cup for reheating finished sauce)

· 1 tsp olive oil

· ½ lb. Sliced shallots

· 1 tbsp minced garlic

· 1 sprig chopped thyme

· 1 cup white wine

· 2 trays Uni

· Salt to taste

Yield: about 2 liters of finished sauce

 

Other

· 500g Linguine noodle (cooked in salted boiling water for about 8 minutes)

· 500g Dungeness crab meat

· Smoked Kelp Flakes for garnish

· Drizzle extra virgin oil to finish

· picked parsley for garnish

 

Recipe Yield: about 5 to 6 portions of finished dish.

 

Method

1. In a large heavy-bottomed pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced shallots and cook gently until softened without browning, about 5 to 7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and chopped thyme, then cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

2. Pour in the white wine and simmer until reduced by about half.

3. Add the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook slowly, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is reduced and lightly thickened.

4. Add the uni and blend the sauce until smooth. Return to low heat, season with salt to taste, and hold warm. If needed, loosen the finished sauce with the reserved 1 cup of cream when reheating.

5. Cook the linguine in well-salted boiling water for about 8 minutes, or until al dente. Drain well.

6. In a large pan or pot, combine the hot uni cream sauce with the cooked linguine and gently toss to coat evenly. Fold in the Dungeness crab meat carefully so the crab stays in pieces.

7. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. If the sauce is too thick, add a small amount of hot water or extra cream to reach the desired consistency.

8. Divide among serving bowls and finish with smoked kelp flakes, picked parsley, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Serve immediately.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

The union representing long-term care home workers in Nova Scotia say the strike by workers could soon be over after a tentative agreement was reached.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees said in a Facebook post late Saturday that as a result of a deal, picket lines across the province would “stand down” and members will return to work as early as Monday morning.

Should the tentative deal not be ratified, the union said the strike would resume.

“After nearly 12 hours of intense negotiations … we reached an agreement between CUPE 1082 and St. Vincent’s Nursing Home,” CUPE said in their post.

CUPE said this agreement would go to members at the facility within 10 days, though the union says it’s hoping to complete it within 72 hours. If the deal with the nursing home is approved by its members, CUPE said the tentative agreement would then be presented to and voted on by all locals that have completed local bargaining.

Approximately 3,600 long-term care workers have been striking for nearly two months, having reached its eighth week only days earlier.

The government’s latest offer that it made public included wage increases of between 12 and 24 per cent over four years. A 70 per cent increase in shift and weekend premiums were also included. The offer also had money to set up a defined benefit pension plan for workers at facilities that don’t offer one.

CUPE has said the proposal would bring lowest-paid workers up to $23.57 an hour by 2028, which it says is below the current living wage in the province.

The government and union say essential services are being maintained, but many physiotherapists, occupational therapists and recreational therapists are working reduced hours. Nurses, continuing-care assistants and housekeeping staff are also part of the strike.

—with files from The Canadian Press

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

A heavy police presence is on site as tens of thousands participate in Toronto’s annual Walk With Israel on Sunday.

Organizers expecting turnout similar to last year’s estimated 56,000 participants.

Police say they are increasing their presence this year in order to prevent confrontations, as they expect competing groups could gather along the route.

Participants are carrying Israeli flags, while Iranian and American flags are also visible in the crowd.

Organizers say the walk is a show of support for Israel and the Jewish community.

The event comes amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East and repeated protests in Canada over the war in Gaza.

© 2026 The Canadian Press

When they appeared in the early 1960s, The Beatles quickly became the biggest pop and rock group in the world. Not only did they have great songs — and boy, they had a lot of them — they had charm, a sense of humour, and were fashion-forward.

Between 1963 and their breakup in the spring of 1970, they changed the world of music forever. That breakup was 56 years ago, and yet, The Beatles remain a staple of popular culture.

For a while, though, there was a time when the group was considered passé. The excitement of the ’60s had faded into the past, and it was time to move on. Oh, the band still had their rabid fans, but as hard as it may be to believe today, they’d become largely a take-it-or-leave-it proposition for the general population.

The 1970s may have been a good time to a solo Beatle — all four members had various levels of success on their own, with Macca leading the way with Wings — but as for The Beatles as a group, meh. They slipped into the category of nostalgia as the original Beatlemaniacs grew up and moved on.

Young’uns were more interested in the new crop of bands that included Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Queen, and The Eagles. The Rolling Stones and The Who, two Beatles contemporaries, stayed together and continued to make amazing music and escaped being tossed into the bin. If you came of age musically in the ’70s, as I did, you might remember thinking anyone at school who was a Beatles fan was completely out of touch.

So how did The Beatles end up becoming so revered in subsequent years? Through careful recycling and refreshing.

The indoctrination of second-generation Beatles fans was orchestrated via two greatest-hits compilations released on April 2, 1973: the “red” 1962-1966 album and its “blue” companion, 1967-1970. These two double records gathered together the group’s 54 biggest hits for the first time in one place.

When they arrived as Christmas presents for me later that year, I thought, “I know all these songs! And they’re from just one group? I must know more!” Talk about a red pill and a blue pill, but in this case, both led to somewhere wonderful.

These records helped, but more work was needed. The next step was another compilation, Rock’n’Roll Music, in 1976, which covered ground not included on the “red” and “blue” albums. There was even a single, Got to Get You Into My Life, a track originally from Revolver in 1966, that peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 that fall.

Meanwhile, the British single, led by Back in the USSR, reached number 19. Again, these releases brought back good memories of The Beatles and introduced them to millions more.

It was around this time that there was something of a movement to get the band back together. CFRW, my AM top 40 station of choice while I grew up outside of Winnipeg, started such a petition that spread across North America, ultimately gathering tens of thousands of signatures. Nothing came of it, of course.

Efforts like this were probably at the heart of Lorne Michaels’ offer of $3,000 for The Beatles to get back together on Saturday Night Live on April 24, 1976. Weirdly, Paul was over at John’s place, and the two of them were watching the show. They actually considered heading over to 30 Rock as a counter-prank, but it was too late and they were too tired.

Then came the musical Beatlemania, featuring four lookalikes/soundalikes, which toured worldwide, including a stint Broadway. Anyone who saw the production got all sorts of fresh feels for the group and their music, but the show was ridiculed as cringey nostalgia in many quarters (cf. Joe Strummer singing “Phony Beatlemania has bitten the dust” in The Clash’s London Calling.)

The thing that really turned The Beatles into the cultural phenomenon they are today was the assassination of John Lennon on Dec. 8, 1980. Amidst all the angry and grief was the sense that you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone. Interest in The Beatles began to trend upward.

Enter Michael Jackson. He collaborated with Macca on two songs, The Girl is Mine, from Thriller (a number two single on Billboard), which brought some Jacko fans into the fold. Jackson returned the favour a year later when he duetted with Paul on Say Say Say from the Pipes of Peace album.

By the middle ’80s, The Beatles were back in the mainstream and receiving a new level of respect. If you remember the years when the compact disc was rolled out, there was a general feeling that until The Beatles blessed the new format with their music, the CD may not back it. That finally came on February 26, 1987 — a good four years after the CD’s rollout — that The Beatles joined the party with the release of their first four British albums. More albums followed every two months or so until the entire catalogue was on compact disc by October.

The remixing, refurbishing, recycling, and re-releasing really kicked into high gear after that.

Volumes one and two of the Past Masters collections came in 1988, kicking off (as I recall, anyway) the concept of the box set. They were followed by the Anthology project (three albums) in the 1990s, which brought Paul, George, and Ringo back into the studio together.

In 2000, another collection of remastered songs entitled 1 appeared, featuring virtually every number-one single the group had in the U.S. and the U.K. It reached number one on album charts in more than two dozen countries, selling a staggering 31 million copies in the process.

Since then, something new from The Beatles appears with regularity. The Cirque du Soleil Beatles show called Love at the Mirage in Las Vegas, along with its accompanying soundtrack album. New remixes/reissues of all the albums and box sets by Giles Martin. Peter Jackson’s Get Back documentary. The 2023 release of Now and Then, featuring the salvaged vocals of John Lennon and old guitar parts by George Harrison.

And I haven’t even touched on all the books written about The Beatles. Google’s Gemini AI tells us that up to 3,000 distinct books have been published about The Beatles just since 2000.

In short, The Beatles organization continues to give the entertainment world a masterclass on how take a limited inventory of material, all dating from between 1962 and 1970, and shrewdly and carefully refresh it generation after generation, reminding the universe of the incredible genius of The Beatles.

Meanwhile, the surviving band members continue to do their part. Paul McCartney, the world’s greatest living songwriter, will turn 84 on June 19 and is still performing and recording (his just-released album, The Boys of Dungeon Lane, is very good). Ringo Starr will celebrate his 86th birthday on July 7 and is the most high-energy octogenarian this side of Mick Jagger. He also continues to record and tour. Both are always happy to talk about their experiences.

The Beatles are unique in all of entertainment history. The stewardship of their legacy has been amazing. And there’s no reason to believe that they’ve become any less popular for decades.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

A teenage driver and two motorcyclists have died after a multi-vehicle collision in the Kawartha Lakes area.

Emergency crews and Ontario Provincial Police responded at about 6 p.m. Saturday to the fatal collision in the town of Omemee, Ont.

The crews were dispatched to the intersection of Highway 7 and New Heights Road after receiving reports of a serious collision involving four motorcycles and a passenger vehicle.

The driver of the vehicle, an 18-year-old from Peterborough, and a 72-year-old male motorcycle rider from Dunchurch were both pronounced dead at the scene as a result of the collision, police said.

A second motorcyclist, a 65-year-old man from Barrie, was airlifted to a Toronto-area trauma centre with serious injuries but later died.

Police said a 30-year-old male motorcyclist from Sudbury was first taken to a local hospital with injuries but later transferred to a Toronto-area trauma centre.

OPP said the fourth motorcycle rider, a 36-year-old man from Sudbury, was treated at the scene and released.

The OPP’s technical collision investigation unit attended the scene to assist with the investigation.

Anyone with information or dashcam footage from the scene when the incident occurred is asked to contact the City of Kawartha Lakes OPP.

The investigation is ongoing.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

Israel struck the southern Beirut suburbs on Sunday just days after a ceasefire agreement in Washington went into effect.

A statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the strikes were in retaliation for the Hezbollah militant group firing toward northern Israel earlier, and that the attacks targeted “command centers” in the sprawling urban neighborhoods. Hezbollah did not immediately claim responsibility for firing at Israel.

The strikes come after the Lebanese and Israeli governments in Washington renewed a ceasefire agreement in ongoing talks that Beirut hopes will bring an end to the war across the country. There was no immediate word of casualties.

Israel had already struck the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital twice since the first agreement between Lebanon and Israel went into effect on April 17. Strikes over southern Lebanon continue daily, meanwhile, and Hezbollah fighters and Israeli troops have also clashed.

Israel announced on Monday that it would strike the southern suburbs after Hezbollah claimed attacks in northern Israel, but last-gasp talks via Washington halted the attacks, on the condition that Hezbollah stop targeting Israel border towns.

Iran had warned that an attack on the Lebanese capital would trigger renewed full-scale war across the Mideast, amid ongoing efforts by Pakistan to restart talks between Tehran and Washington.

Fire continues between Israel and Hezbollah

The Iranian-backed Hezbollah has rejected the U.S.-brokered deal and instead endorsed Iran’s demand that ending the war in Lebanon be part of the negotiations with the U.S.

The fighting in Lebanon, where Israeli forces have seized large swaths of the south in its latest ground invasion, threatens efforts to end the Iran war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key transit point for oil and gas. Its closure has jolted the world economy.

Iran has demanded that any lasting truce extend to Lebanon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces elections later this year, wants to press ahead with Israel’s offensive until he considers Hezbollah no longer poses a threat.

Lebanon’s army commander, Gen. Rodolphe Haikal, headed to Pakistan Saturday at the invitation of Pakistan’s army chief. The Lebanese army gave no further details and did not say whether it is related to Pakistan’s mediation between Iran and the U.S.

Pakistani senior official in Iran

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s interior minister was in Tehran on Sunday in a fresh bid to restart negotiations between Iran and the U.S., as the American military said it shot down two more Iranian drones over the Strait of Hormuz that threatened international maritime traffic.

The latest action came as the U.S. administration presses Iran to make a deal to end the war in the Middle East, which has strained the global economy and threatened a hunger crisis in some of the world’s most vulnerable countries.

The heaviest fighting ended with a preliminary ceasefire on April 8, but the sides have not been able to agree on a long-term end to the war.

Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi is in Tehran to deliver a message to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei from Pakistan’s army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, according to Iranian state-run IRNA news agency.

Khamenei has not been seen in public since he was named the Islamic Republic’s ruler after his father was killed on the first day of the war on Feb. 28 when the U.S. and Israel lauched a bombardment campaign against Iran.

Naqvi met with Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni late Saturday, and held talks Sunday morning with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, according to official Iranian media.

There were no details on the contents of the message. Pakistani authorities have said Islamabad, with support from regional countries including Qatar, Turkey and Egypt, has been working to help bridge differences between the United States and Iran and encourage efforts aimed at reducing tensions and ensuring the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran says it targeted U.S. air base and Navy

The U.S. military said Saturday that it had shot down several Iranian missiles and drones launched toward the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf Arab allies, and struck some of the Islamic Republic’s coastal surveillance radar sites in response.

“The attack drones posed an immediate threat to regional maritime traffic,” U.S. Central Command said.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said it had targeted the Ali Al Salem air base, which hosts U.S. forces in Kuwait, and the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet in Bahrain, according to the state-run IRNA news agency.

The U.S. military said there were no reports of harm to U.S. personnel.

Earlier in the month, Iranian drones heavily damaged a passenger terminal at Kuwait’s main airport, killing one person and wounding dozens.

The U.S. military has kept up its blockade on Iranian ports in response to Tehran’s grip on the strait, a crucial corridor for global oil and natural gas shipments.

Energy prices have spiked, posing political problems for U.S. President Donald Trump’s Republican Party ahead of midterm congressional elections in November.

—Magdy reported from Cairo and Lidman from Tel Aviv, Israel.

© 2026 The Canadian Press

As warm weather finally settles into Ontario and beach season gets underway, experts say the province’s lakes are ready for the summer crowd. Here is everything you need to know about beach and water quality this season.

With above-average temperatures expected across much of the country this summer, the demand for swimming and water-based activities will certainly rise.

“If you love going to the beach this is your summer, it’s going to be awesome for that,” Global News meteorologist and weather forecaster Peter Quinlan said.

Quinlan said the warm summer outlook is being driven in part by a developing El Niño weather pattern, which he said could strengthen into what meteorologists call a “super El Niño.”

The climate phenomenon is associated with warmer-than-normal temperatures, with forecasters expecting much of Southern Canada to see above-average warmth through June, July and August.

As beachgoers flock to Ontario’s waterfronts, experts say the good news is that the province’s beaches are generally safe for swimming.

However, conditions can change quickly depending on weather and environmental factors.

One of the biggest factors affecting water quality in Ontario is rainfall.

Heavy rain can increase bacteria levels in lakes and rivers through stormwater runoff and by placing additional strain on aging sewer systems.

“The two big ones are temperature and rainfall,” said Gregory Ford, vice-president of Swim Drink Fish and Lake Ontario Waterkeeper.

Toronto Public Health (TPH) advises waiting 24 to 48 hours after a major rainfall event before swimming, as bacteria levels tend to be highest immediately following heavy rain.

The agency monitors water quality at 10 supervised beaches throughout the summer by testing for E. coli, a bacteria used as an indicator of other potentially harmful organisms that may be present in the water.

The city uses a beach water quality standard of 100 E. coli per 100 millilitres of water, which is the most rigorous standards in the world.

However, officials say water quality can change rapidly from day to day or even hour to hour.

“Water quality at Marie Curtis Park Beach and Sunnyside Beach fluctuates rapidly unlike the other eight Toronto beaches,” the agency said in a statement.

Ford said checking local beach advisories before heading out is one of the easiest ways for swimmers to stay informed.

“The Great Lakes are absolutely swimmable places,” he said. “But you should do so with caution and with the information at your disposal.”

While rainfall is often the biggest short-term concern, Ford said warmer temperatures and increased precipitation can also contribute to harmful algal blooms in some lakes and waterways.

The blooms, often caused by cyanobacteria, can produce toxins that may be harmful to humans and animals.

He said beachgoers should be cautious if water appears bright green or resembles “split pea soup,” which can be a sign of a harmful algal bloom.

Suspected blooms can be reported to Ontario’s Spills Action Centre, which investigates potential outbreaks and issues public advisories when necessary.

“Climate change is a massive impact,” Ford said, noting that higher temperatures and heavier rainfall create conditions that allow algae to grow more rapidly.

From Woodbine Beach and Cherry Beach to Centre Island Beach and Sunnyside Beach, Toronto’s waterfront is expected to draw thousands of visitors looking to cool off after a long winter and during what forecasters say could be a warmer-than-normal summer.

Mayor Olivia Chow also commented on the upcoming beach season in a news conference Saturday adding that the city has “increased the number of lifeguards that we have by 25 per cent. We need more lifeguards and we’ve been training them.”

Ford said residents shouldn’t let concerns about water quality keep them away from Ontario’s beaches.

Instead, he encourages beachgoers to stay informed, check local advisories and be mindful of recent weather conditions before heading into the water.

Although swimming is not prohibited when bacteria levels are elevated, Toronto Public Health says exposure to contaminated water can increase the risk of ear, eye, nose, throat and skin infections. Swallowing polluted water may also lead to stomach illness, including vomiting and diarrhea.

Beachgoers can check local public health advisories or use tools such as Swim Guide before heading to the water this summer.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

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.

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.

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.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.