'Canada is worth fighting for': Prime Minister Mark Carney rallies pro-Canada support in Calgary ahead of Monday referendum

With Alberta’s referendum mere days away, Prime Minister Mark Carney touched down in Calgary Thursday to rally support for keeping Alberta in Canada while also making clear where he stands on the other nine questions.

Carney started his day with a visit to Cinnamon Indian Cuisine and Bar to enjoy some pakoras before heading to Bridgeland Riverside Community Association Park to meet with Public Interest Alberta volunteers, a non-partisan organization that’s been campaigning against separation.

While speaking to a huddled crowd of volunteers and supporters, Carney encouraged door-knockers to get Albertans voting on every question.

“Make sure everyone’s out there marking their ballots by Monday, including no to the nine,” Carney said. 

Speaking to PIA’s Executive Director Brad Lafortune, Carney emphasized that it is not the time for division, but rather unity and Canadian generosity. And that this referendum could be the path there.

“There couldn’t be a worse time for this referendum. It’s a dangerous and divided world, and it’s time for us to come together and stand up for ourselves and to take care of each other,” he said. “This is an opportunity to do both.”

Carney also pointed to Alberta’s longstanding connections to the country. One of his examples was how firefighters come from across Canada during wildfire season to give Alberta a helping hand. with Albertan firefighters doing the same.

“We are stronger together, and Canada is worth fighting for,” he said. “And fighting for is about showing up, showing up to vote. Polls don’t vote, people vote.”

Lafortune echoed the prime minister’s call for unity, arguing that the province is stronger because of its diversity.

“Everyone comes from somewhere. Let’s build this country and this province together,” he said. 

Another reason to keep Alberta a part of Canada, Carney said, is the country’s rising global status. Carney said that since the start of this year, exports of grain, canola and beef have risen by 80 per cent as more and more countries make trade deals with Canada. Thus creating opportunities across the country.

“We’re making ourselves more independent, we’re making ourselves stronger as a county, stronger as Albertans. Why? So we can live our lives as we want. We can have the diversity in this province if we take care of each other and we build together,” Carney said. “In order to do that, for the youth of this great province, we need to get people out to vote.”

Carney wrapped up his Bridgeland visit with a walk around the area, popping into stores and speaking with locals. He will attend Forever Canadian’s rally tonight at the BMO Centre before heading off to Edmonton tomorrow.