Carney urges Albertans to reject separation and nine other referendum questions

Prime Minister Mark Carney visited Calgary on Thursday to urge Albertans to vote against separating from Canada and to reject nine other questions on the upcoming referendum ballot. The referendum, scheduled for Monday, Oct. 19, asks voters to decide whether Alberta should remain in Canada or begin a legal process toward a binding separation vote. It also includes nine questions authored by Premier Danielle Smith’s government regarding immigration controls and constitutional changes.

Carney’s Campaign for Unity

Speaking at a rally hosted by the federalist group Forever Canadian, Mr. Carney warned that voting for separation would create "years of deep division and great uncertainty." He described the referendum as a "dangerous bluff," comparing it to Britain’s 2016 vote to leave the European Union. "This is not poker. A vote against Canada is a dangerous bluff that will lead to years of deep uncertainty and lost opportunities," Mr. Carney said in prepared remarks.

The Prime Minister acknowledged frustrations among Albertans regarding federal energy and environmental policies under his predecessor, Justin Trudeau. "I won’t sugarcoat it: some of those threads have needed to be repaired. The frustrations that many Albertans have felt are real," he said. However, he argued that the current global climate makes separation ill-advised. "Some outside our borders are working to break us so they can own us," Mr. Carney stated, referencing external pressures such as U.S. tariffs.

Mr. Carney explicitly urged voters to say "no to the nine," putting him in direct opposition to Premier Smith on the secondary ballot questions. He stated that Ottawa can address provincial concerns "without needing to have a referendum that divides us."

Premier Smith’s Position

Premier Danielle Smith, who has long stated she will vote for Alberta to remain in Canada, disagrees with Mr. Carney’s stance on the other nine questions. She argues that a "yes" vote on these proposals would provide her government with a mandate and leverage to negotiate greater autonomy within Confederation. "Voting yes to questions one through nine is how we send a message to Ottawa that provinces need more autonomy and respect if Canada is going to be stronger and unified," Ms. Smith said.

Ms. Smith criticized Mr. Carney for not fully understanding the impact of previous federal immigration policies. "It appears that he has yet to fully understand just how damaging the open-border policies of his predecessor were," she wrote on social media. Her government has committed $4 million to an advertising campaign supporting the nine questions.

Referendum Details and Turnout

The referendum features 10 separate, colour-coded ballots. Question 10, which asks about remaining in Canada, is counted first. Questions 1 through 9 cover topics such as limiting provincial services for non-permanent residents, charging fees for health care and education for newcomers, abolishing the federal Senate, and allowing provinces to choose judges.

Advance voting has seen high participation. According to Elections Alberta, more than 815,000 ballots had been cast by Thursday morning, representing about 27 per cent of eligible voters. This includes advance votes and returned mail-in ballots. Elections Alberta has hired 47,000 workers for the event and warned of potential long lineups.

Why it matters

The outcome of the referendum will test the strength of national unity in Alberta, a province that has historically contributed significantly to Canada’s economy but has experienced political friction with the federal government. While polls suggest a majority of Albertans wish to remain in Canada, the debate over the nine additional questions highlights deep divisions over immigration, constitutional reform, and the balance of power between Ottawa and the provinces. The result will influence future negotiations on energy projects, such as the proposed West Coast oil pipeline, and broader federal-provincial relations.

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Sources

• theglobeandmail.com: Carney urges Albertans to vote against separating from Canada - The Globe and Mail
• culturealberta.com: Mark Carney Visits Calgary, Urges Albertans to Vote ‘No
• ctvnews.ca: Alberta referendum: Smith casts vote to stay in Canada

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.