Oil-rich Alberta votes on leaving Canada in a referendum dubbed 'Canada's Brexit moment' as Trump watches closely

Premier Danielle Smith announced the poll in May, and it is the first time the province has ever put separation to the public. Question 10 of 10 colour-coded ballots asks whether to begin the process, and a simple majority could trigger it. Independence campaigners say a break would free oil and gas producers from environmental rules. Ottawa stands to lose nearly a quarter of Canada's merchandise exports.

Prime Minister Mark Carney branded the vote 'a dangerous bluff' coming 'at the worst possible time'.

Carney warned 'some outside our borders are working to break us so they can own us'.

Separatists have rejected joining the US despite Trump's vow to annex Canada.