Alberta separatists said Monday they have formally submitted almost 302,000 signatures to try to trigger a referendum on the province leaving Canada .

The group needed 178,000 signatures to force the province to consider such a vote.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has said if the petition is verified, there will be a referendum. Smith has said she personally does not support the oil-rich province leaving Canada.

Mitch Sylvestre, the head of Stay Free Alberta, arrived at the Elections Alberta office in Edmonton on Monday leading a convoy of seven trucks to deliver the names.

“We're happy with the number,” Sylvestre said.…