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The percentage of Albertans favouring separation from Canada is 25 per cent, a number that nearly rivals that in Quebec, says a new poll.

While the Abacus Data poll of 1,500 adults from July 12 to 17 shows 28 per cent of Quebecers favour breaking ties with the rest of the country, the 25 per cent of Albertans is 79 per cent higher than the national average of 14 per cent.

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“Not in my lifetime did I expect to see Alberta almost as much as Quebec in separatism sentiment,” said Abacus Data’s David Coletto, who also noted that outlook in Quebec has been on the downslide in recent years.

Unhappiness over perceived Ottawa-borne obstacles to the energy industry is key to that disillusionment, he said.

That’s reflected in poll numbers that show 46 per cent of Albertans believe climate change requires immediate action, compared to 57 per cent of Canadians.

“When you have a government in Ottawa that’s seen as being very aggressive on climate change, you can see why a small group of people in Alberta see that as diametrically opposed to their interests,” said Coletto.