Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has hailed Alberta’s vote to remain part of Canada, describing the result as a “great result” for the country after a referendum on pursuing independence.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday as he entered a cabinet meeting, Carney said he was “thrilled that Albertans have chosen unity” by rejecting a proposal to begin the legal process for a binding referendum on separation.
Preliminary results published by Elections Alberta showed that more than two-thirds of voters chose to remain part of Canada.
The vote followed months of campaigning by separatists in the oil-rich western province, who argued that federal environmental policies had held back Alberta’s economic growth.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith welcomed the preliminary results, saying: “Albertans have voted for a stronger Alberta in a united Canada.”
Although Smith opposed separation, she had supported holding a vote, arguing that public demand for a referendum could not be ignored. Some members of her United Conservative Party backed the separatist campaign.
In an address later on Tuesday, Smith described voter turnout as “historic and a powerful testimony of the passion Albertans feel for our country and our province.”
She also ruled out another referendum on the issue while she remains premier. “As long as I am premier, I will honour this mandate from Albertans and will not be holding another referendum on this issue.”
Carney said he had spoken with Smith that morning about cooperation between the federal and provincial governments, including immigration and other shared priorities. “They’ve chosen to build together, they’ve chosen to continue to take care of each other, to move forward, to move forward together, with purpose, high ambition.”
The prime minister and Smith have worked together on several issues over the past year, including a proposed oil pipeline to Canada’s Pacific coast.
Separatists argued that Alberta, a major oil-producing province, would have greater control over its economy and resources outside Canada. Opponents of separation, including Carney, urged voters to maintain national unity amid external pressures, including the trade dispute with the United States.
At a separatist gathering in Edmonton, supporters fell quiet as projected results showed the campaign had lost. The event ended soon after the projections were published.
However, separatist leader Jeffrey Rath vowed that the movement would continue. “Our movement isn’t stopping and we’re continuing to move forward,” describing the vote as a first step that had taught the campaign valuable lessons.
Asked whether separatists would continue seeking votes on independence until they won, Rath replied, “why not?,” insisting that the economic case for separation remained strong.
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe welcomed Alberta’s decision to remain in Canada but said Ottawa still needed to address concerns about the treatment of western provinces.
Pierre Poilievre, leader of Canada’s Conservative Party and an MP from Alberta, also welcomed the result, writing on social media that “the promise of Canada is worth fighting for.”
He said the focus should now be on improving affordability, public safety, border security and immigration policy.
Smith called the vote after a grassroots separatist group collected about 300,000 signatures on a petition seeking a binding referendum. A judge blocked the petition, ruling that it had failed to consult Indigenous First Nations people, but Smith proceeded with the ballot.
A separate petition opposing separation attracted more than 400,000 signatures.
The referendum asked voters whether Alberta should remain a Canadian province or whether its government should begin the constitutional process required to hold a binding referendum on independence.
It was the first time a Canadian province had voted on the issue of separation since Quebec held referendums in 1980 and 1995. Both attempts to leave Canada failed.
Despite the result, the debate over Alberta’s future is expected to continue. Separatist leaders have indicated they will seek to replace Smith within her party with a leader more supportive of independence.
The ballot also included nine non-binding questions, five on immigration and four on constitutional issues. Early results suggested that most would pass, including proposals to give Alberta greater control over immigration levels.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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