September 1, 2026· Western Standard
Western Standard to Drop Its Paywall for the Referendum's Final Month
The Western Standard says it will take its paywall down on September 19, opening its referendum coverage to all Albertans ahead of the October 19 vote — and sooner if reader donations keep coming.
The Western Standard says it will take down its subscriber paywall on September 19 — one month before the October 19 referendum — opening its independence coverage to every Albertan for the final stretch of the campaign.
Publisher Derek Fildebrandt says the outlet set out to raise $50,000 to fund the move and has now passed that goal. Every additional $12,500 raised, he says, will move the takedown date forward by another week, with the aim of getting unfiltered Alberta referendum coverage in front of as many readers as possible before the vote.
Albertans who want to help can contribute through the Western Standard's Paywall Takedown Project.