EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — 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. He said most papers were handled five times to verify the signatures.…