The plan organizes the transition into three practical phases. These phases provide an overall sequence rather than rigid boundaries. Individual negotiations, transfers and technical workstreams may overlap.
27.1 Phase 1 — Prepare and Verify
October 2026 to the spring 2027 independence referendum six month preparation period
If Albertans vote on October 19, 2026 to proceed, Alberta remains a province of Canada while intensive transition preparation begins.
The purpose of Phase 1 is to ensure that, if Albertans later vote for independence, Alberta is ready to move promptly into negotiations and implementation.
The principal Phase 1 work is to:
- verify and refine the Transition Plan and costing;
- identify remaining evidence gaps and dependencies;
- prepare Alberta’s proposed negotiating positions;
- inventory federal functions, assets, records and personnel;
- prepare legislation, institutional designs and implementation plans;
- begin First Nations and treaty processes;
- identify required Canadian and international agreements; and
- prepare contingencies where preferred arrangements may not be available.
27.2 Phase 2 — Negotiate and Get Ready for Independence
Following a successful 2027 independence referendum until Day 1 of independence
A successful independence referendum provides the democratic mandate to proceed toward independence. It does not itself make Alberta independent.
Phase 2 converts preparation into negotiation and implementation.
The Government finalizes its negotiating mandate and proposed terms, negotiates the settlement and required continuity arrangements, completes the legal implementation work, establishes the necessary sovereign functions and tests the systems required for Day 1 of independence.
The proposed sequence uses summer and fall 2027 for an initial intensive negotiating period and uses the October 2027 provincial election as a democratic accountability point. The election does not automatically terminate negotiations. The Government then in office confirms its instructions and carries the process forward.
Phase 2 continues until the legal arrangements necessary for independence are in place and the critical functions required for Day 1 are ready.
27.3 Day 1 of Independence
Day 1 is the date on which Alberta legally becomes an independent country.
It should be established through the settlement and implementation process rather than by an arbitrary fixed timetable. Earlier parts of this plan identify the critical systems that must be ready before that cutover.
For most Albertans, the objective is that Day 1 be administratively uneventful. Government continues, laws and courts continue, payments continue, businesses remain open and essential systems continue operating.
Day 1 therefore marks a change in sovereign legal authority, not the completion of every transition task.
27.4 Phase 3 — Stabilize and Implement
Day 1 of independence and the period following
After Day 1, the focus shifts from preparing for independence to stabilizing and completing the new arrangements.
Phase 3 includes:
- completing remaining transfers of functions, records and assets;
- resolving matters deliberately left open at Day 1 of independence;
- replacing, extending or ending temporary Canada–Alberta arrangements;
- completing outstanding international arrangements;
- refining newly established Alberta institutions; and
- progressively moving from temporary transition measures to stable long-term arrangements.
The plan uses approximately Day 1 plus 24 months as an outer planning horizon for many temporary arrangements. It is not an automatic expiry date. Continuity and operational safety remain more important than ending a temporary arrangement simply because a date has been reached.
27.5 Proposed Transition Sequence
| Milestone | Purpose |
|---|---|
| October 19, 2026 | If Albertans vote to proceed, Phase 1 preparation begins. |
| October 2026 | Planning assumption for activation of the Government transition task force. |
| Spring 2027 independence referendum | A successful result provides the mandate to move into Phase 2; it does not itself create independence. |
| Spring 2027 | Government finalizes its negotiating mandate, proposed terms and negotiating machinery. |
| Spring 2027 | Alberta presents its proposed terms and formal intensive negotiations begin. |
| Spring 2027 –September 20, 2027 | Initial intensive negotiation and implementation period. |
| September 20, 2027 | Negotiation Decision Point before the expected provincial election campaign; not a termination date. |
| October 18, 2027 | Provincial election provides a democratic accountability point. |
| After the election | The Government then in office confirms instructions and negotiations and implementation continue. |
| Day 1 of independence | Independence takes effect when the lawful settlement and implementation requirements and critical readiness conditions are satisfied. |
| Following Day 1 | Phase 3 stabilizes the new arrangements and completes remaining transition work. |
27.6 Separate Constitutional Track
The permanent Constitution proceeds on a separate track and does not determine the timing of Day 1 of independence.
Alberta can become independent under lawful interim constitutional arrangements while the existing Legislature, Government, public service and courts continue. The permanent Constitution can then be completed through the separate Constitutional Conference, public ratification and Constitutional Commencement process described in Chapter 2.
Selected references from white papers
- Supreme Court of Canada: Reference re Secession of Quebec, [1998] 2 S.C.R. 217.
- Government of Canada: Clarity Act, S.C. 2000, c. 26.
