Billboard Battle: Taber Orders Removal of Pro-Separation Sign
- Jun 9
- 2 min read
June 9th, 2026
by: Jason LaFace
Email: jason@albertaradio.ca
TABER, ALTA. — The electronic billboard that has dominated conversations in Southern Alberta over the past week is heading for the dark.
The Town of Taber has officially ordered the removal of the high-profile pro-separation advertisement currently displayed on a sign just off Highway 3. The message, which reads, “Send Ottawa a message! Choose Alberta,” has been a focal point of intense provincial debate, leading to calls for boycotts and heated public discourse.
Town Cites "Nuisance" and Rule Violations
The order comes after mounting pressure from local residents. According to reports, the Town of Taber issued a letter to the owner/operator of the sign, mandating that it be taken down by the end of the week.
Town administration has moved to distance itself from the controversy, previously issuing a statement clarifying that while the sign sits on land leased from the town, the structure itself is privately owned and operated. The Town stated that it did not approve, endorse, or fund the advertisement, and that it maintains no control over the content displayed on the private sign.
By labeling the billboard a "nuisance" and citing violations of local land-use bylaws, the Town is signaling a firm stance against the presence of the advertisement within the community of 10,000.
The "Pathway to Independence" Responds
Cory Morgan, the individual behind the campaign and the "Pathway to Independence" organization, confirmed receipt of the order. Rather than backing down, Morgan suggested that the intense public focus has served to bolster his cause.
“It was going to be a quiet billboard in one spot, part of a bigger campaign,” Morgan said on Tuesday. “It morphed into a whole pile of attention, which only brought in more supporters and more donations. Now I'm putting up more billboards, so it's one of the better things to happen to us.”
A Larger Political Context
This localized battle in Taber is part of a much broader, high-stakes conversation regarding Alberta's future within Canada. The advertising campaign is closely tied to an upcoming referendum vote scheduled for October 19, 2026, where Albertans will have the opportunity to weigh in on whether to stay in Canada or initiate the process toward a binding vote on separation.
As the October deadline approaches, the intensity of these public debates is only expected to increase. For now, the "Choose Alberta" sign in Taber is set to be removed, but the conversation it ignited shows no signs of quieting down.
Stay tuned to Alberta Radio as this story develops. For more in-depth coverage and the latest updates on Alberta’s political landscape, visit www.albertaradio.ca. Your voice. Your Alberta.
