Albertans will soon have their say on some of the biggest questions facing the province, including how Alberta should deal with Ottawa and whether its future should remain within Canada.

Voters will head to the polls on October 19 to consider 10 referendum questions touching on provincial powers, immigration and Alberta’s place in Confederation.

One of the most closely watched questions deals directly with separation. Albertans will be asked whether they want to remain part of Canada or take an initial step toward a possible future vote on independence.

The referendum comes as tensions between Alberta and Ottawa continue over issues ranging from energy and taxation to the balance of power between the federal and provincial governments.

For Ben Trudeau, the debate has some familiar elements.

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Trudeau grew up in Quebec and became involved in provincial politics at a young age. His political experience put him close to the sovereignty debate that dominated Quebec politics in the 1990s, including the 1995 referendum that came remarkably close to changing the country’s future.

He later moved west and made Alberta his home, giving him firsthand experience with the political debates that have shaped both provinces.

I sat down with Trudeau to discuss what he witnessed in Quebec, what Alberta could learn from that experience and whether gaining substantially more control over provincial affairs necessarily requires leaving Canada altogether.

We also discussed what greater Alberta autonomy could actually look like and where Trudeau believes the province could take more responsibility for its own affairs.

With the October 19 vote approaching, Albertans will soon have the opportunity to weigh in themselves.

Watch my full conversation with Ben Trudeau above.