Alberta has the world’s fourth-largest oil reserves and sends 90% of its crude exports to the U.S. — It will vote on a first step to leaving Canada

For decades, Alberta separatism was a fringe cause. On Monday, voters in Canada’s oil heartland will decide whether to take the first step toward a referendum on leaving the country. Alberta, home to the world’s fourth-largest proven oil reserves, is not voting to leave Canada on Oct. 19. Instead, voters will decide whether the province should remain in Canada or begin the legal process toward a future referendum on separation. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who called the vote but supports remaining in Canada, has said that support for starting the separation process, which was around…