OMM Newsroom
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney urged Albertans to vote for the province to remain in Canada ahead of Monday’s referendum on separation, warning that the “stakes are high”.
Speaking at a pro-unity rally in Calgary on Thursday, Carney said the vote was taking place “at the worst possible time” and called for a “decisive result” against separation, Reuters reported.
More than 450,000 Albertans have cast ballots early or by mail. Voters are being asked whether the province should remain part of Canada or begin the process of holding a binding referendum on separation.
Polls suggest most Albertans support staying in Canada, but Carney cautioned against assuming the result was settled. “Turnout will determine the outcome,” he told a crowd of more than 7,000 in Calgary.
Carney is due to attend another pro-unity event in Edmonton on Friday. Earlier on Thursday, he visited several Calgary businesses and met volunteers campaigning to get out the vote.
How the separation referendum was called
The 19 October referendum was called by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith earlier this year, after a grassroots group collected about 300,000 petition signatures seeking a binding vote on separation.
Smith, a Conservative whose political base includes supporters of independence, has urged Alberta to remain in Canada. She has also described the referendum as an opportunity to hear directly from Albertans.
Separatists argue that the oil-rich, landlocked province has been overlooked by federal politicians in Ottawa despite its contribution to Canada’s wealth. They say successive Liberal governments over the past 10 years have prioritised environmental policies over the development of Alberta’s oil and gas sector, and that independence would allow the province to retain more of its wealth.
Opponents of separation say an independent Alberta would be responsible for billions of dollars in debt. They also warn that uncertainty could lead to thousands of jobs and investment leaving the province.
Carney and others have compared the referendum to the United Kingdom’s 2016 Brexit vote, warning that leaving could bring unintended economic consequences.
Carney cites support for Alberta’s energy industry
Carney said on Thursday that the frustrations felt by many Albertans were real, but added that his government was prepared to support the province and its energy industry.
In the weeks before the vote, he announced plans to fast-track approval for a new oil pipeline from Alberta to Canada’s Pacific coast. Carney has called the project “a demonstration of the power of Canada” and said it could help the country diversify its markets as it faces US tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump.
Smith is scheduled to appear at a separate pro-unity event in Calgary on Friday with Conservative opposition leader Pierre Poilievre, who has also called for Alberta to remain in Canada. Separatist advocates plan to hold a rally in Edmonton on Saturday.
Early figures point to high turnout, with ballots already cast exceeding the total from Alberta’s most recent provincial general election.
