Carney says constitutional change 'difficult' after Alberta rejects separation
About three-quarters of Albertans voted against separating from Canada in the referendum, while nine other questions seeking more provincial powers passed with narrower margins.
Why it matters
The referendum results set the stage for ongoing negotiations between Alberta and Ottawa over provincial powers and possible constitutional changes.
Prime Minister Mark Carney said constitutional reform can be a difficult, drawn-out process, speaking a day after Albertans voted down separation from Canada by roughly a three-quarters margin. Carney told reporters he prefers pursuing pragmatic "common solutions" with provinces on matters under federal jurisdiction, adding that disputes over areas like immigration can often be resolved without amending the Constitution.
Alongside the main separation question, Albertans also voted on nine other referendum questions seeking greater provincial authority in federal areas such as immigration, along with a series of proposed constitutional changes including abolishing the Senate and letting provinces appoint Superior Court judges. Those questions passed, but by far narrower margins than the vote against separation.
Before the referendum, Carney had urged Albertans to vote "no to the nine," but told Alberta broadcaster Ryan Jespersen he remains "open" to constitutional reforms where there is broad consensus among provinces.
Compiled by the Alberta Daily Desk — an AI-written summary of reporting from the credited sources below, produced and reviewed under our editorial policy.