Quebec held independence referendums, so Alberta can hold one too.
Claimed by: Commonly stated by Alberta independence advocates
Needs context: Accurate as written, but a key piece of context changes how it reads. How we rate.
Summary
It is true that Quebec held province-wide votes on sovereignty, in 1980 and again in 1995, and a province can put such a question to its voters. The important distinction is what a referendum does: those votes asked for a mandate to negotiate, not to declare independence, and the No side won both, narrowly in 1995. A provincial referendum can show the will of voters, but on its own it does not accomplish secession, which still requires a clear question and majority and a constitutional amendment.
Evidence
Quebec's 1980 referendum on a mandate to negotiate sovereignty-association was rejected, with 59.56 percent voting No on an 85.6 percent turnout.
The 1995 referendum on sovereignty was also defeated, with the No side winning 50.58 percent on a 93.5 percent turnout.