// BBC WORLD NEWS — MONDO
Huge setback for Alberta's separatist movement after decisive defeat
It was a decisive result in a referendum that could have strained the bonds of national unity.
But preliminary results show that more than two-thirds of Alberta voters sent a clear message that they want to remain in Canada.
It's possible that once the final tally is counted, the rejection by a comfortable majority of voters to pursue separation through a binding referendum could halt Alberta's separatist sentiment in its tracks.
This would push the idea that had been discussed quietly for decades back into the political fringes.
For leaders of the Alberta separatist movement, while the result was expected given the polling, it was still disappointing after more than a year of campaigning and pushing for a vote on separation.
Asked by the BBC how he felt in one sentence after the results, separatist leader Mitch Sylvestre simply said: "Not happy".
'Conversation far from over': BBC reports from pro-separatist watch party
The outcome was celebrated almost immediately by Prime Minister Mark Carney, who said in a statement that "Albertans made a clear choice".
But the movement's leaders say their battle is long from over and that the issue could dominate Alberta politics for years to come.
Jeffrey Rath, a Calgary-lawyer and one of the main spokespeople for Alberta separation, said he and others "plan to roll up our sleeves and work harder".