Red Deer MP Bailey to vote 'stay in Canada' in Oct. 19 referendum
Conservative MP Burton Bailey says he supports holding the referendum but plans to cast his own ballot against Alberta separation, calling for fairer treatment on transfer payments and CPP instead.
Why it matters
The Oct. 19 referendum and the stalled Canada-U.S. trade talks both carry major implications for Alberta's political future and its economy.
Red Deer MP Burton Bailey says he will vote to remain part of Canada when Albertans go to the polls Oct. 19 for the province's referendum on separation. Bailey, a first-term Conservative MP, told rdnewsNOW he supports a strong Alberta within Confederation and believes the referendum will demonstrate the province wants fairer treatment from Ottawa, particularly on the Canada Pension Plan and transfer payments comparable to what Quebec receives.
Bailey said misinformation is clouding public understanding of what separation would actually involve, citing unresolved questions around currency, passports, CPP and trade. He also argued that referendums on the issue have only occurred under Liberal governments, suggesting the situation would differ under a Conservative government.
Bailey said the ongoing Canada-U.S. trade war is causing more immediate anxiety among Albertans than the referendum itself, describing tariffs as the biggest threat facing Prairie businesses right now. He called for Parliament to reconvene and for MPs to work together on solutions, and said Prime Minister Mark Carney should provide a written report on why trade negotiations collapsed rather than relying on media accounts.
Carney has pushed back on claims from U.S. officials that Canada was responsible for the breakdown in talks. Canadian counter-tariffs are scheduled to take effect Oct. 8.
Compiled by the Alberta Daily Desk — an AI-written summary of reporting from the credited sources below, produced and reviewed under our editorial policy.