In the western Canadian province of Alberta, a political battle is playing out on people’s front lawns. Separatists are flying the royal blue Alberta flag, others the red and white maple leaf of Canada to show their support for a united Canada.

It's all because a populist right-wing political movement wants Alberta to break away from the rest of the country. On October 19, Albertans will vote in a referendum on whether to have a referendum on independence.

So how did the relatively small separatist movement gain so much political influence? Why do they want to leave Canada? And what does Donald Trump have to do with all of this?

Listen to Jared Wesley, a professor of political science at the University of Alberta, on the origins of the Alberta separatist movement.

This episode was written and produced by Gemma Ware and Grace Jennings-Edquist. Mixing by Dan Semo and theme music by Neeta Sarl. Ashlynne McGhee is our Head of Editorial Innovation. Misha Ketchell and Stephen Khan are our editors in chief. You can sign up for a free daily newsletter from The Conversation.

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• Q&A with an Alberta politics expert: Taking the province’s pulse as the referendum approaches
• What if Alberta really did vote to separate?
• Albertans disapprove of Donald Trump — and his brand is weakening separatism, too
• As Alberta separatists court the U.S., prosperity is fuelling a sovereigntist turn

Mentioned in this episode:

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