Carney and Poilievre Campaign for Unity in Alberta Ahead of Separation Referendum
Prime Minister Mark Carney and Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre are delivering pro-unity messages in Alberta ahead of an October 19 referendum that includes questions on whether the province should separate from Canada. The federal government is also running approximately $250,000 in 'united Canada' advertisements.
Prime Minister Mark Carney and Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre are bringing pro-unity messages to Alberta as voters prepare for a critical referendum scheduled for Monday, Oct. 19. Thousands of Albertans have already cast ballots in advance polls before the vote.
The ballot includes 10 questions addressing immigration, constitutional issues, and whether the province should stay in Canada or hold a binding referendum on separating. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith lowered the threshold needed to prompt a public referendum, which separatists then used to bring forward the vote.
To counter the separation push, the federal government is spending an estimated $250,000 on "united Canada" advertisements featuring archetypal Canadian imagery. The ads have been running on television and online since Oct. 6.
Carney joined former Alberta deputy premier Thomas Lukaszuk at a "Forever Canadian" rally on Thursday and was expected to attend an event in Edmonton on Friday. Meanwhile, Poilievre was scheduled to join Smith at the Canada Strong and Free Network conference in Calgary on Friday.
Poilievre also dismissed Elon Musk's calls for Quebec, Alberta, and Saskatchewan to separate, stating that "Canadians control their own destiny."