Prime Minister Mark Carney praised Albertans for overwhelmingly voting to remain in Canada in the Oct. 19 referendum, saying they had chosen to “move forward together.”
“It’s a great result for Canada, I’m thrilled that Albertans have chosen unity,” Carney told reporters in Ottawa on Oct. 20.
“They’ve chosen to build together, they’ve chosen to continue to take care of each other, to move forward together with purpose, high ambition.”
Carney said he spoke with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith early on Oct. 20 about the referendum results, and said they agreed to move forward “in the spirit of co-operative federalism,” including on issues of immigration and “other common priorities.”
He said he also spoke with Smith on how they can help the victims of the tragedy this week at the Canadian Armed Forces base in Wainwright, Alta.
With 4,700 of 5,583 voting locations reporting as of 1 p.m. ET, 75.4 percent of voters supported Alberta remaining in Canada, while 24.6 percent supported beginning the legal process for a binding referendum on separation, according to unofficial Elections Alberta results.
The ballot also included questions on giving the province greater control over immigration and other policy areas, as well as constitutional reforms, including abolishing the Senate.
Early results indicated majority support for several proposals to expand provincial powers, although support varied on constitutional changes.
Voters were narrowly divided on allowing provinces to opt out of federal programs while retaining the associated funding, with a slight majority opposed. A slight majority supported giving provincial laws priority over conflicting federal laws in areas of provincial or shared jurisdiction, according to unofficial results.
Carney and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre had joined Smith in Alberta ahead of the vote to promote national unity. Carney urged Albertans to reject not only separation, but also the other nine referendum proposals.
Smith also urged Albertans to remain in Canada but disagreed with Carney on the nine other questions, encouraging voters to support them. She said the proposals would give Alberta greater autonomy within a united Canada and “send Ottawa a message.”
“I’m very pleased to see the initial results from Elections Alberta show widespread support for remaining in Canada. Albertans have voted for a stronger Alberta in a united Canada,” Smith said on social media late on Oct. 19.
“Thank you to all Albertans who took time to vote on these critically important referendum questions,” she said, adding that she will address Albertans about the referendum results on Oct. 20.
Carney said on Oct. 20 that he favoured working with provinces on solutions before pursuing constitutional changes. He said constitutional amendments could be difficult and lengthy, while issues such as immigration could be addressed without them.
