Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has urged Albertans to remain united with the rest of the country, warning that division could undermine major development projects as the province prepares to vote on its future in Canada.
According to CBC News, Carney made the appeal in a video message released on social media on Monday, October 12, to mark Thanksgiving, a week before Albertans are scheduled to vote in a referendum.
“A week from today, Albertans will have the opportunity to make an important decision about their future,” Carney said as he sat at a desk in his alma mater, St. Francis Xavier High School, in west Edmonton.
“Now, I have some perspectives on this choice. I grew up in Alberta.”
The referendum, scheduled for October 19, contains 10 questions, with the final question asking whether Alberta should remain a province of Canada or hold a second, binding referendum on separating from the country.
Carney said his government was pursuing major projects in Alberta, including housing initiatives, a proposed high-speed rail route between Edmonton and Calgary, and a proposed pipeline linking Alberta’s oilfield to the West Coast.
“I’m back home a lot these days because we are building big things again in Alberta,” he said.
He argued that national unity was necessary to achieve the projects, warning against the consequences of political division.
“We can’t achieve any of this if we’re divided. You can’t build big things on fault lines.”
The prime minister also referred to threats facing Canada’s economy and security, stressing the contribution Albertans had made to the country’s development.
“Generations of Albertans helped build this country,” he said. “It’s yours, it’s ours, and it’s worth fighting for.”
CBC News reported that Carney’s message came as Albertans prepared to vote on the province’s future relationship with Canada.
The news organisation said it had requested a comment from Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on the prime minister’s address.
Responding in an emailed statement, Smith’s press secretary, Sam Blackett, said the provincial government was encouraging residents to familiarise themselves with the referendum questions before voting.
“We encourage Albertans to visit albertareferendum2026.ca where they can view the 10 ballot questions and access information on these important issues to inform their vote,” Blackett wrote.