Canadaupdated 1h ago2 min read
Mark Carney Says Alberta Rejects Independence Referendum, Chooses Unity With Canada
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Alberta voters overwhelmingly rejected organizing an independence referendum, choosing to remain part of Canada. Preliminary results show about 76% in favor of unity, roughly 24% backing a second vote.
13 outlets told this the same way.
Outlets did split on Prime Minister Mark Carney Says Fire Kills Four at CFB Wainwright in Alberta →
Alberta Rejects Separation
Alberta voted to reject a proposal to organize a referendum on independence, with Mark Carney saying the result was a "great result" for Canada after preliminary results showed more than two-thirds chose Canada over a push for independence. Elections Alberta projections cited by the BBC indicated more than 76% voted to remain in Canada while 23% voted in favor of separating, and the vote was framed as a rejection of separatists' plan for a binding referendum.
Carney told reporters he was "thrilled that Albertans have chosen unity" by rejecting the proposal to pursue separation through a binding referendum, and he added that "They've chosen to build together" and "to take care of each other." Danielle Smith welcomed the initial results, commenting "Albertans have voted for a stronger Alberta in a united Canada," while the BBC reported that Smith said she would address Albertans later on Tuesday on the path forward for the province.
Separatists Vow to Continue
Jeffrey Rath, a separatist leader described as a lawyer based in Calgary, told the BBC World Service's Newsday programme that Monday's vote was a "first step" and that it had taught the movement some "valuable lessons." Rath also insisted that "our movement isn't stopping and we're continuing to move forward," and he answered "why not?" when asked whether the movement would push to keep holding votes on independence until it got the result it wanted.
Thomas Lukaszuk, who led Forever Canadian, told AFP that it was "incredible to see the enthusiasm and determination of Canadians" after the federalist side was projected to win. Mitch Sylvestre told the BBC that "a lot of work" remained, and the BBC reported that separatists indicated they planned to try to push Smith out of power within her United Conservative Party.
What Comes Next
Carney said he had spoken to Smith that morning and discussed "moving forward in the spirit of cooperative federalism," including on issues of immigration and other common priorities, as the referendum debate shifted from separation to governance. The BBC reported that the referendum was the result of a months-long campaign by separatists in Alberta to get a public vote on the issue, and it described the key question on the voting paper as whether Alberta should remain a province of Canada or begin the legal process required under the Canadian Constitution.
The BBC also reported that Smith had said before the vote that if Albertans chose the remain option, a binding referendum on separation would not be held "at least, not while she was in power." AFP reported that Alberta’s electoral authority said 1.4 million of the 3.1 million eligible residents cast their advance vote, and it quoted Carney calling the referendum a "dangerous" signal while Donald Trump waged a trade war and issued annexation threats.