Alberta Referendum on Separation Set for Oct. 19 as National Leaders Rally for Unity
Albertans will vote on Oct. 19 in a referendum asking whether the province should remain part of Canada or begin legal processes for separation discussions. Prime Minister Mark Carney, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith are all scheduled to address events in the province ahead of the vote.
Albertans are scheduled to head to the polls on Oct. 19 to answer a question about whether the province should remain part of Canada or begin the legal process for separation discussions with another future referendum. In addition to the separation question, the ballot includes nine other questions involving constitutional and immigration issues.
Ahead of the vote, Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to attend two "Forever Canadian" rallies in Alberta this week. The Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that Carney will attend a rally in Calgary on Oct. 15 and another in Edmonton on Oct. 16. The "Forever Canadian" campaign was launched by Alberta’s former deputy premier Thomas Lukaszuk to encourage Albertans to vote to stay in Canada.
Carney focused his Thanksgiving Day message on Alberta’s upcoming separation referendum, stating that Canada is "worth fighting for." He stated that the federal government is building "big things" in Alberta, including a planned new pipeline to the West Coast, but noted these goals cannot be achieved if the country is divided.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is also expected to deliver a speech supporting Canadian unity at the Canada Strong and Free Network conference in Calgary on Oct. 16. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is expected to address the audience following Poilievre's speech in Calgary.