After a chaotic summer in Alberta — during which separatist sentiment either trended upwards or was hugely overblown, depending on who you asked — a new poll offered an answer.

The survey, published by fledgling polling firm Cardinal Research last month, showed 11 per cent of decided voters throwing their support behind the Republican Party of Alberta . It appeared to be the first evidence the party, and its push for Alberta to separate from Canada, was catching on.

As a political force, the broader Alberta separatist movement certainly has. Just last week, Premier Danielle Smith told Prime Minister Mark Carney that a new pipeline could quell any push to exit Alberta.

The party touted the poll online. Local news outlets reported on the Republican upswing found by the September s

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