Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has expressed concerns that Alberta’s proposed referendum could trigger a crisis similar to Brexit for Canada.
Carney labeled the proposed referendum by Premier Danielle Smith as “a very dangerous bluff.” The referendum, scheduled for October, will determine whether Alberta should proceed with a formal separation vote. Carney drew comparisons with the UK’s Brexit vote, which led to substantial instability and political turmoil.
“You saw, I saw firsthand what happened in the United Kingdom when the view was, vote for this, it’ll be soft and then we’ll negotiate, etc. And they ended up, and they’re still, 10 years later, trying to undo what people didn’t think they were voting for, but what they ended up with.”
Carney’s remarks, his most direct criticism since Smith announced the referendum proposal, echoed his January Davos speech, where he advocated for unity amid the “rupture” in the global multilateral order. He also suggested that the referendum question could shake the confidence of potential investors.
Carney has been working to bridge the longstanding gap between Ottawa and Alberta. He signed a memorandum of understanding with Smith’s government, potentially setting the stage for a new oil pipeline from Alberta’s oilfields to the British Columbia coast. This is part of Carney’s “nation-building” major projects strategy, aimed at strengthening the Canadian economy against economic threats.
“I certainly will be campaigning for Canadian unity. I’ve begun that,” Carney said.
Alberta Separatism Debate Grows
The proposed referendum reflects growing separatist sentiment in Alberta, where many believe federal Liberal policies and climate regulations have harmed the province’s vital energy industry. If successful, the vote could dramatically reshape Canada’s political and economic landscape.
On Monday, Danielle Smith said she would campaign for Alberta to stay in Canada if a separation referendum proceeds, despite her government continuing preparations that could allow such a vote. In a post on X, Smith acknowledged growing frustration in Alberta over what she called “the last decade under the Trudeau-NDP,” but urged residents not to give up on Canada.
Did Alberta Separatists Meet Trump Administration?
In February, Separatist leaders in Alberta said they met with U.S. State and Treasury Department officials to discuss how an independent Alberta could operate, including adopting the U.S. dollar and creating its own military and border system. U.S. officials described the meetings as routine staff-level discussions with civil society groups and said no commitments or further talks are planned.
Notably, President Donald Trump on several occasions in the past has referred to Canada as the “51st state” of the U.S.
Carney has meanwhile urged Washington to respect Canada’s sovereignty and proposed concessions to Alberta, including easing some climate policies and supporting a new Pacific coast pipeline.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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