They tried, and the premier used the notwothstanding clause to allow this unconstitutional garbage to move forward. What's worse is even rational Canadians think that if it did happen it would take years to sort out. Meanwhile, the separatists lobbied the US gov for a $500B loan for a sovereign Alberta. If the referendum got 50.1% they would instantly declare independence with US backing. This is the same playbook Lucien Bouchard had during the Charlottetown Accord. The second they had won he was going to declare an independent Quebec with the backing of France.