Prime Minister Mark Carney has urged Albertans to vote to remain in Canada ahead of an independence referendum, warning that the “stakes are high”.
Speaking at a pro-unity rally on Thursday in Calgary, Carney said the referendum is taking place “at the worst possible time” and called on voters to deliver a “decisive result” against separation.
More than 450,000 Albertans have already voted early or by mail on a question asking if they wish the province to remain part of Canada, or start the process of holding a binding referendum to separate.
Campaigners on both sides are making their final pitches ahead of Monday’s vote, though polls indicate most Albertans are supportive of a united Canada.
Still, Carney said Albertans should not assume that the result is decided based on the polling alone.
“Turnout will determine the outcome,” he told a crowd of more than 7,000 in Calgary.
He also nodded at external pressures facing Canada as a reason to dismiss separation.
“The world has become more dangerous and divided. Some outside our borders are working to break us so they can own us,” Carney said, echoing warnings he has made in the past about the threat US tariffs pose to Canada’s economy and security.
Thursday’s rally is one of two back-to-back pro-unity events that the prime minister is scheduled to attend in Alberta, with another one set for tomorrow in Edmonton, his hometown.
Earlier in the day, Carney toured several businesses in Calgary and spoke to pro-unity volunteers in a get-out-the-vote push.
