Premier Mark Carney says an overwhelming vote by the people of Alberta in favor of remaining part of Canada is a “great result” for the country. Speaking to reporters as he entered a cabinet meeting Tuesday, Carney said he was “delighted that Albertans have chosen unity” by rejecting a proposal to seek separation through a binding referendum. Preliminary results indicate that more than two-thirds chose Canada over pushing for the province’s independence, according to Elections Alberta, external. Provincial Leader Danielle Smith welcomed the initial results, commenting: “Albertans have voted for a stronger Alberta in a united Canada.” Prime Minister Smith herself opposed the separatist push, but said the public will to vote was undeniable and that many supporters of her own political party, the United Conservative Party, were in the separatist camp. Smith said he would address Albertans later Tuesday on the path forward for the province. In defending Canada’s independence, many of the separatists said the oil-rich province’s economic growth had been stifled by the environmental policies of Canada’s central government in Ottawa. But those opposed to a breakup, including Carney, called for Canada to present a united front in the face of external pressures, including an ongoing trade war with the United States. “They have chosen to build together,” Carney said. “They have chosen to continue to care for each other, to move forward, to move forward together, with purpose and great ambition.” Carney added that he had spoken with Smith that morning and discussed “advancing the spirit of cooperative federalism, including on immigration issues and other common priorities.” Over the past year, the prime minister has worked with Smith on a number of shared goals, including promoting an oil pipeline to the Pacific Coast.
