Canadian Studies Announcements

In This Issue:

Program News

• Canadian Studies welcomes new student intern Kate Lincoln

• 2026 remembrance poppies now available

News from Canada

• Alberta voters overwhelmingly reject independence

External Events

• Québec-U.S. Relations: A Path Forward

PROGRAM NEWS

Canadian Studies Welcomes New Student Intern Kate Lincoln

The Canadian Studies Program is excited to introduce our new student intern, Kate Lincoln.

Kate is a third-year undergraduate student studying English and Media Studies. Originally from Arlington, Virginia, Kate is passionate about the intersection of digital storytelling and community impact. She is looking forward to helping develop the Canadian Studies Program’s digital presence and build connections with the broader Berkeley community.

On campus, Kate is involved with CalTV and the BAMPFA Student Committee, where she supports marketing initiatives and digital projects. Her study of French originally sparked her interest in Canadian history and culture, and she is excited to broaden her knowledge of the subject through this role.

Please join us in giving Kate a warm welcome to the Canadian Studies community!

2026 Remembrance Poppies Now Available

On Saturday, the Royal Canadian Legion launched its annual poppy campaign in support of Canada’s veterans. During the weeks leading up to Remembrance Day on November 11, people across Canada will wear red poppies in honor of those who died in military service.

The red poppy became a symbol of remembrance following the First World War, thanks to the iconic poem “In Flanders Fields“, written by Canadian physician and soldier John McCrae in 1915. The poem immediately became popular in Canada and abroad. After the war, the poppy was adopted as a symbol by veterans’ organizations throughout the British Empire. Today, poppies are worn in countries around the world, from the United Kingdom to New Zealand.

In partnership with Royal Canadian Legion US Branch #25, the Canadian Studies Program is proud to serve as an official distributor of remembrance poppies. Visitors may pick up poppies at our office in 213 Philosophy Hall on the UC Berkeley campus, weekdays between 9 am-5 pm. While the poppies are free, the Legion gratefully accepts donations to its Poppy Fund, which directly supports Canadian veterans and their families. You can also create a digital poppy honoring a loved one at MyPoppy.ca.

NEWS FROM CANADA

Alberta Voters Overwhelmingly Reject Independence

Last week, Alberta voters overwhelmingly rejected a proposal for the province to consider separating from Canada. With the final results tallied, about 75% of Albertans voted against holding a referendum on declaring independence.

Prime Minister Mark Carney hailed the result, saying it demonstrated the strength of Canada’s unity. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who has been criticized for placing the question on the ballot but nevertheless campaigned for unity, said she was “pleased” that voters had chosen to remain in Canada.

The result is a major defeat for the Alberta separatist movement. After a citizen-led petition for a binding independence referendum was blocked over a failure to consult with First Nations, Premier Smith intervened and put a non-binding referendum question on the ballot. Smith has said that voters have now made their opinion clear, and has promised that she will not hold another vote on secession.

Alberta separatist leaders conceded the loss as a significant setback. However, they have vowed to continue their campaign for independence. They point to continuing disputes with Ottawa over environmental policy, taxes, and federal spending. Drawing inspiration from the recent electoral success of the Parti Québécois, they insist that the “conversation about Alberta’s future in Canada” will continue for years to come.

While the independence question was the most prominent in last week’s election, the ballot also included nine other questions covering immigration and constitutional issues. A proposal to require proof of citizenship to vote in Alberta provincial elections passed easily. Narrow majorities also supported proposals for Alberta to take greater control of immigration and to limit public and social services for noncitizens. Smith described the outcome as “cautious” support for policies to reduce economic migration. However, the results revealed a notable urban-rural divide among voters, even within supporters of Smith’s own United Conservative Party (UCP). These political divisions will likely complicate efforts to introduce legislation on these issues.

EXTERNAL EVENTS

Québec-U.S. Relations: A Path Forward

Thursday, Nov. 5 | 2:00 pm PT | Zoom | RSVP

How will Québec’s 2026 election reshape its relationships with Canada, the United States, and the wider international community? The Center for Canadian-American Studies at Western Washington University will be hosting a virtual roundtable that brings together five scholars from Canada and the United States to examine Québec’s 2026 election campaign and results, their implications for Québec’s governance and intergovernmental relations, and the future of Québec’s engagement with the United States. The discussion will situate these developments within the broader North American political context, including the outcomes of the U.S. midterm elections, while exploring Québec’s commitments to cultural diplomacy and academic affairs and its evolving place in North America.

The event is brought to you by the Center for Canadian-American Studies at Western Washington University and the Foundation for WWU & Alumni, with support from Québec’s Ministère des relations internationales et de la Francophonie & the Association for Canadian Studies in the United States (ACSUS).

Canadian Studies Program

213 Philosophy Hall #2308

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