Carney stumps in Red Deer, Edmonton ahead of Monday separation referendum
With Alberta's referendum on leaving Confederation just days off, the prime minister is campaigning across the province alongside Premier Danielle Smith and a federalist advocacy group.
Why it matters
Monday's referendum could determine whether Alberta pursues a path toward leaving Confederation, a decision with lasting implications for the province's economy and governance.
Prime Minister Mark Carney is continuing a cross-province campaign against Alberta separation ahead of Monday's referendum, visiting Red Deer with Premier Danielle Smith before heading to an evening rally in Edmonton organized by the federalist group Forever Canadian.
The stop follows a Thursday rally in Calgary, where Carney told a crowd of roughly 5,000 that voting to leave Canada would be a "dangerous bluff" leading to years of lost opportunity. He acknowledged Albertans' frustrations are real but argued the federation is operating in a spirit of co-operative federalism, warning that outside forces want to "break us so they can own us" at a time when the world has grown more divided.
Smith has placed 10 questions on Monday's ballot, including one asking whether Alberta should remain in Canada or hold a second, binding vote on separation. Separately, Smith and federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre are set to speak at a Calgary conference focused on keeping Alberta within Confederation.
Attendees at Thursday's Calgary rally, including Calgary resident Bill Chan, said separatist concerns are valid but described Canada as worth fighting for, noting Carney struck a more conciliatory tone toward how Ottawa might treat Alberta going forward.
Compiled by the Alberta Daily Desk — an AI-written summary of reporting from the credited sources below, produced and reviewed under our editorial policy.