Carney Emphasizes Alberta’s Importance to Canada After Separation Vote Announcement

Prime Minister Mark Carney is praising ‌Alberta’s “huge contributions” to Canada, as the prairie province gears up for a non-binding referendum this fall on whether to hold a separation vote.

Speaking during a May 22 tour of the construction site at the Library of Parliament, Carney described Alberta as an essential part of Canada and emphasized strengthening the country through unity.

“Canada is the greatest country in the world, but it can be better. And we’re working on making it better. We’re working with Alberta on making it better,” Carney told reporters during his tour. “Canada is working in a spirit of co-operative federalism to make the country better.”

Carney drew a metaphor between Canada and the Parliament buildings, which are currently closed to the public as they undergo a multi-year heritage renovation project. He likened that rehabilitation work to the efforts he said his government is making to build Canada.

“We’re renovating the country as we go, and Alberta being at the centre of that is essential,” he said.

Carney also commended Alberta for its contributions to the nation, highlighting figures such as former prime ministers Stephen Harper and Joe Clark, as well as its impact on music, sports, literature, and scientific research. He did ​not specifically ​mention Alberta’s ⁠referendum announcement or the separatist movement in the province.

His remarks come after Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced on May 21 her plan to add a question to October’s referendum.

Voters heading to the polls on Oct. 19 will be asked: “Should Alberta remain a province of Canada, or should the Government of Alberta commence the legal process required under the Canadian Constitution to hold a binding provincial referendum on whether or not Alberta should separate from Canada?”

Smith said she intends to vote for Alberta to stay in Confederation, but that adding this question to the ballot will be the most effective means for Albertans, especially those dissatisfied with the federal government, to express their opinions.

The other questions listed on the referendum, announced in February, pertain to immigration reform and constitutional issues.

Smith put the separation question on the ballot after a recent court ruling threw out a proposed referendum petition on Alberta separation that organizers said had gathered well over the required number of signatures to be approved as a future referendum question. The court cited the lack of proper consultation with First Nations in its decision.

Separatist group Stay Free Alberta has said it collected more than 300,000 eligible signatures on its petition, well above the 177,732 required under provincial law for it to qualify as a referendum.

Smith has promised to appeal the judge’s decision up to the Supreme Court of Canada if need be, but noted that the ruling is legally binding unless overturned by a higher court.

“But this process will take many months and possibly years before being addressed by those higher courts,” she said during a May 21 televised speech. “This means that it is unlikely the courts will permit Elections Alberta to hold a binding provincial referendum on separation until this incorrect ruling is overturned or clarified.”

Although separatists have collected hundreds of thousands of signatures, so too have federalists.

The “Forever Canadian” initiative, led by former Alberta Deputy Premier Thomas Lukaszuk, has collected and validated more than 400,000 voter signatures in a bid to guarantee that Alberta remains a part of Canada.