OMM Newsroom
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney warned on Friday that forces outside the country were seeking to divide Canada, ahead of a referendum on Alberta’s future scheduled for Monday, Anadolu Agency reported.
Speaking at the Forever Canadian Rally in Edmonton, Alberta, Carney said the vote was “coming at the worst possible time.” Albertans will be asked whether they want to remain in Canada or hold a second, binding referendum on separation.
“The world is becoming more dangerous and divided,” Carney told supporters.
“Open your eyes. There are some outside our borders who are working to break us, so they can own us. Never, never,” he said.
Carney also acknowledged that promises made between nations had been broken throughout Canada’s history.
“When something’s not right, when something’s not fair, we as Albertans, as Canadians, we don’t hide from it, we don’t walk away from it,” he said. “We fix it together, and we become stronger because of it, because that is Alberta, that is Canada,” he added.
Carney links energy plans to Alberta’s role
Turning to the government’s energy agenda, Carney highlighted Alberta’s contribution to Canada’s economic development.
“Canada is building big again. Alberta is at the very heart of it,” he said.
Carney said the “Pacific Link” pipeline would help Canada develop its energy resources and reduce its reliance on the United States.
“By building the Pacific Link pipeline, we are launching our full energy potential. We are reducing our dependence on the United States,” he said.
The prime minister urged Albertans to reject separation and support Canadian unity. “Now is the time to build, not break. It’s our turn to stand up for Canada,” he said.
Carney also stressed the importance of voter participation, saying turnout would determine the referendum’s outcome. “Polls don’t vote; only people vote,” he added.
