Canada: Alberta votes on holding independence referendum

Residents of Alberta in Canada are voting in a referendum on whether the province should begin a process that could ultimately lead to independence. 

The motion does not appear likely to succeed but the vote taking place at all signifies economic and political grievances gaining some sway in the vast oil-rich region.

Separatist leaders hope that a comparatively strong showing for their cause could nevertheless pressure Prime Minister Mark Carney's government in Ottawa to pay them more heed in future. 

Polls opened at 9 a.m. local time in the provincial capital Edmonton (1500 GMT/UTC) on Monday. 

They are scheduled to close at 8 p.m. that evening (Tuesday, 0200 GMT/UTC). 

Results will then be published as they come in. 

At least based on opinion polls, the yes/no result is in no real doubt, but as many as 1 in 3 voters might support the proposal.