Over a million people descend on the Calgary Stampede every year to marvel at chuckwagon races - a sport where carriage drivers race horses around a track, because apparently just driving a carriage isn't exciting enough - and bareback riders in First Nations horse relays. This year, however, the 'Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth' comes with a side of existential dread: in October, Albertans will vote on whether they want to remain in Canada or hold a binding referendum later on separation.

Corey Hogan, a Liberal MP from Calgary, described the referendum as 'the cloud over everything,' because nothing says 'fun family outing' like the potential dissolution of the country. He invited dozens of colleagues to the Stampede to promote unity, presumably over pancakes. Prime Minister Mark Carney is also slated to appear, expected to deliver a unity message - likely while wearing a cowboy hat, because symbolism.

Pro-unity polls suggest a comfortable win, but anxiety lingers. Andrew Kemle, a graduate student at the University of Calgary, invoked the 'shadow of Brexit,' warning that Canada could 'sleepwalk into an economic disaster.' Meanwhile, Justin Perkins, fueling his car in rural Alberta, said, 'I would say I'm 100% Canadian, but every year it is a little less.' He added, 'I'm the hated redneck, right? That's me. Not that I did anything wrong, I'm just born here.'

Thomas Lukaszuk, a former Progressive Conservative lawmaker, is driving a maple-leaf-laden 'Unity Bus' across the province, handing out pins and lawn signs. His group, Forever Canada, aims to remind Albertans of the 'dire consequences' of separation. On the other side, Chris Scott, an Alberta independence organizer who took part in the 2021 Freedom Convoy protests, bought his own camper van to rival the Unity Bus, calling independence 'inevitable.'

The debate is deeply divisive, with neighbors suspicious of which flag flies on which house. First Nations leaders have been vocal in opposing separation. Chief Samuel Crowfoot of Siksika First Nation argued the treaties 'will be honoured more so if we stay within Canada,' while Chief Troy Knowlton of Piikani First Nation said he'd rather be 'dealing with the devil that we know.' The referendum itself is technically a 'referendum on a referendum,' but everyone is treating it like the real thing. As the Stampede ends, both sides gear up for a long fight - because nothing unites a country like threatening to leave it.