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The lack of support for separatism is not surprising, according to Mount Royal University political scientist Lori Williams.

She said there’s always been “a certain amount” of separatist sentiment across the province, but called the latest uptick “a knee-jerk reaction” to Alberta’s economic troubles.

“It’s gotten a lot more attention just because it’s being discussed in coffee shops and primarily on social media, so it’s generated a bit more momentum than we otherwise would have thought,” Williams said.

“I don’t think we’re going to see significant numbers because the fact of the matter is, it’s not going to solve the problems and I think most people realize that.”

The idea of an independent Alberta is more attractive to those who voted for the Wildrose Party in the 2015 provincial election (38 per cent in favour), as well as residents aged 55 and over (34 per cent in favour), according to the poll.

“In my estimation, I think it has a lot to do with the fact that they are the ones who have lived through all of the problems; the oil crises of the 70s, dealing with Trudeau Sr., dealing with Brian Mulroney,” said Mario Canseco, president of Research Co.

“And they’re saying, ‘you know what, screw it, let’s just secede.’ ”

Canseco said he also measured support for Alberta separatism in 2014 and 2016. He said the results have remained constant.

“What’s interesting to me looking at the tracking data is the first one was taken when we had a Progressive Conservative government in Edmonton, a Conservative government in Ottawa. So now that you have (Premier Rachel) Notley and (Prime Minister Justin) Trudeau, supposedly those numbers would go up, but they didn’t,” said Canseco.