Carney urges Albertans to vote against separation at Calgary rally

More than 450,000 Albertans have already cast early or mail ballots

Prime Minister Mark Carney opened a two-day swing through Alberta on Thursday with a pro-unity rally in Calgary, telling a crowd of more than 7,000 that the stakes are high in Monday’s independence referendum and calling on voters to deliver a “decisive result” against separation. Carney said the referendum is taking place “at the worst possible time” and warned that Albertans should not assume the outcome is settled based on polling.

Earlier in the day, Carney toured several businesses in Calgary and spoke to pro-unity volunteers in a get-out-the-vote push. Thursday’s rally is one of two back-to-back pro-unity events the prime minister is scheduled to attend in Alberta, with the other set for Friday in Edmonton, his hometown.

The ballot question asks whether Albertans wish the province to remain part of Canada or start the process of holding a binding referendum to separate. More than 450,000 Albertans have already voted early or by mail, and early figures suggest the advance turnout has already exceeded Alberta’s last provincial general election.

The 19 October referendum was called earlier this year by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, a Conservative whose political base includes supporters of independence. Smith initiated the vote after a grassroots group gathered around 300,000 petition signatures asking for a binding referendum on separation. Smith has said she advocates for Alberta remaining in Canada but framed the referendum as a chance to hear directly from Albertans on the issue.

Premier Smith is set to speak at a separate pro-unity event in Calgary on Friday alongside federal Conservative opposition leader Pierre Poilievre, who has also advocated for Alberta to remain in Canada. Advocates for Alberta separation are planning a rally in Edmonton on Saturday in their final push to turn out voters.

Supporters of separation argue the oil-rich, landlocked province has been overlooked by federal politicians in Ottawa despite the wealth it contributes to Canada. Successive Liberal governments of the last 10 years, they say, have put environmental policies above helping Alberta develop its oil and gas sector, and that Alberta would keep more of its wealth if it split from Canada.

Opponents of separation counter that a newly independent Alberta would inherit billions of dollars in debt and that the resulting uncertainty would drive thousands of jobs and investment out of the province. Some, including Carney, have likened the Alberta referendum to Brexit, when the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union in 2016, warning that a vote to leave could carry unintended economic consequences.

In his speech on Thursday, Carney acknowledged that “the frustrations that many Albertans have felt are real” but said his government is willing to support Alberta and its energy industry. In the weeks leading up to the referendum, Carney announced his plans to fast-track approval of a new oil pipeline from Alberta to Canada’s Pacific coast. He has described the project as “a demonstration of the power of Canada” and argued it would help the country diversify its markets as it deals with US tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump.

Polls indicate most Albertans appear supportive of remaining in Canada. Both sides are making their final pitches heading into the final weekend of campaigning before Monday’s referendum.