Prime Minister Mark Carney campaigned in Alberta against a referendum on separation, warning that the US is trying to break Canada.
Key facts
- •The Alberta referendum is not a direct vote on independence but decides whether to begin the legal process toward a future separation referendum.
- •Carney stated that a vote against Canada is a "dangerous bluff" that will lead to years of deep division and uncertainty.
- •The Pacific Link pipeline is projected to create more than 140,000 jobs and generate revenue for social programs.
- •Alberta Premier Danielle Smith voted to remain in Canada on Wednesday, saying the country needs changes but can still work.
- •Advance voting for the referendum runs through Saturday, with the final vote taking place on Monday.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney warned on Thursday that the United States is attempting to break Canada so it can "own us," urging residents of oil-rich Alberta not to initiate a process toward separation in Monday's referendum. The vote will determine whether Alberta remains a province or instructs the government to begin the legal process for a future independence referendum. Carney addressed a pro-Canada rally in Calgary, stating that the world has become more dangerous and divided, with outside forces working to fracture the country.
By the numbers
Political Context and Trade Tensions
Carney's warning coincides with a trade war waged by U.S. President Donald Trump against Canada and repeated threats to make Canada the 51st U.S. state. Carney has argued that Canada must become more economically resilient and less dependent on the United States. He pointed to the proposed Pacific Link pipeline as evidence of a changed relationship, claiming it would create more than 140,000 jobs and reduce reliance on the U.S.
Rally and Opposition Reactions
Carney's office estimated that about 5,000 people attended the Forever Canadian rally at the BMO Centre in Calgary. Tanya Clemens, co-chair of the pro-independence group Let Alberta Decide, described Carney as formidable but argued his agreements with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith are merely "pinky promises." Keith Wilson, another leader of the group, rejected Carney's timing argument and predicted the Prime Minister would eventually impose a tax on oil exports to retaliate against the U.S.
Premier's Position and Historical Context
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who called the vote, cast her ballot on Wednesday in favor of remaining in Canada, stating that support for separation remains too high for her liking. The referendum marks a rise for a cause previously on the political fringes, accelerated by the 2022 Freedom Convoy and the COVID-19 pandemic. Political science professor Daniel Béland noted that Carney's popularity in Alberta is unusual for a Liberal prime minister, partly due to a "Trump effect" rallying Canadians around their leader.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by ABC News Business.
