Muhammad Amanullah
Date: October 3, 2026 The True Post (Web News) —A controversy has emerged in Calgary, Canada, after city workers mistakenly removed several posters promoting a referendum on Alberta’s separation from Canada.
Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas has acknowledged that city staff made a mistake by taking down the posters. He specifically referred to one poster installed along 10 Street in the city’s northwest.
Video Emerges
A video circulated on social media this week showing a city worker removing several posters supporting Alberta’s separation and placing them inside a city truck. Following public questions about the incident, Mayor Jeromy Farkas ordered an investigation into the matter.
In a statement posted on social media Friday, the mayor said he had received reports that city workers had removed certain referendum posters. An investigation subsequently determined that staff had made a mistake.
Posters Returned
In a video statement, the mayor said the removed posters had been returned to their owners. He clarified that the city cannot remove referendum posters simply because of the political message displayed on them.
Farkas said he strongly opposes Alberta’s separation from Canada. However, he added that people who disagree with his position have the same right to participate in the debate as anyone else.
Political Differences Must Remain Separate
The mayor said there should be no ambiguity about his personal position on Alberta’s separation from Canada.
However, he emphasised that personal political views must be kept separate from the enforcement of municipal regulations. According to him, removing a poster simply because a resident or group is expressing support for separation is not appropriate.
Public Safety Regulations
The City of Calgary says municipal staff are responsible for enforcing regulations related to public safety. These rules include taking action against posters or other materials near intersections, transit stops, schools and playgrounds when they create safety risks or obstruct the use of public facilities.
However, Mayor Farkas said these regulations must apply equally to all political messages and groups. He acknowledged that the city had made a mistake in this case and said city staff had also apologised.
City Will Remain Neutral
Mayor Farkas said Calgary residents should be confident that the city is not supporting any political side when enforcing its regulations.
According to him, the city’s responsibility is to apply existing rules consistently rather than take action based on whether officials agree or disagree with a particular political message.
Secession Campaign
Some of the removed posters had been paid for by a third-party advertising group called Pathway to Independence, which supports Alberta’s separation from Canada.
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The group’s spokesperson, Corey Morgan, said one poster was recovered after a volunteer collected posters that had been held by the city.
Morgan expressed relief that the poster had been returned. He said the incident was concerning because his organisation works to ensure that advertising locations are selected and posters are installed in accordance with applicable rules to prevent such problems.
City’s Position
The City of Calgary has clarified that, under provincial law, it is not responsible for regulating referendum posters or referendum advertising.
However, the city will continue to take action against posters that pose a threat to public safety or obstruct municipal infrastructure.
The city says removing posters because of their political message is not its policy. Nevertheless, action may be taken when public safety regulations are violated.
Referendum Scheduled for October 19
Albertans will vote in a provincewide referendum on October 19. The referendum contains a total of 10 questions, including one concerning Alberta’s separation from Canada.
The removal of pro-referendum posters in Calgary has brought further attention to the debate over how municipal regulations should be applied to election- and referendum-related materials during political campaigns.
According to Mayor Jeromy Farkas, city staff made a mistake in this incident, the posters have been returned, and future enforcement will be guided by established rules concerning public safety and infrastructure rather than the political messages displayed.
