Canada’s prime minister says U.S. seeks to split nation as Alberta votes on secession steps
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Monday warned that the United States is attempting to break Canada as Alberta voted on whether to remain a province or begin steps toward a future secession referendum.
The vote, while not a direct independence referendum, will decide if the provincial government should instruct legal authorities to start the process for a future referendum on separation. The result could set the stage for formal negotiations with Ottawa and reshape the political landscape of the resource‑rich western province.
“The world has become more dangerous and divided. Some outside our borders are working to break us so they can own us,” Carney told a rally in Calgary.
Carney’s remarks came at a large pro‑Canada rally in Calgary, where he urged Albertans not to use the vote as a political “bluff.” He emphasized that a decision to pursue a separation process would create “years of deep division and great uncertainty.” The prime minister did not name U.S. President Donald Trump, though he has referenced the president in past speeches.
Alberta, home to Canada’s fourth‑largest proven oil reserves, faces long‑standing grievances over federal energy policy. Carney highlighted stories of Alberta‑born residents and firefighters from across Canada who illustrate the province’s ties to the rest of the country, while acknowledging that many Albertans feel their resources have been unfairly taxed and regulated.
Leaders of the pro‑independence group Let Alberta Decide, such as co‑chair Tanya Clemens and spokesperson Keith Wilson, dismissed Carney’s warning. Clemens called the prime minister’s promises “pinky promises,” and Wilson argued that the timing of the vote is strategic, saying the “worst timing” is precisely why it should proceed.
Premier Danielle Smith, who called the vote but campaigned for Alberta to stay in Canada, cast her ballot for unity, noting that while support for separation remains high, the province can still work within the federation with needed reforms.
If the vote directs the government to begin the legal process, Alberta will likely start consultations with the federal government to determine the constitutional requirements for a future referendum, a step that could take months to formalize.
