Alberta Rejects Independence Referendum Plan in Vote for Canadian Unity

Alberta has rejected a plan to hold a binding referendum on independence from Canada, delivering a victory to supporters of national unity as Ottawa faces escalating tensions with the United States. Results reported Tuesday showed more than 76 percent of ballots favored keeping the oil-rich province within Canada, with nearly 45 percent of ballots counted.

Canada's public broadcaster CBC and private network CTV projected a decisive victory for the federalist side. The outcome dealt a setback to separatists seeking to establish Alberta as an independent country amid longstanding disputes over energy policy and the province's relationship with the federal government.

Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomed the result, describing it as a clear decision in favor of national unity. Carney, who grew up in Alberta, had urged residents to reject separation as Canada confronts trade tensions and annexation threats from US President Donald Trump.

Carney said Albertans had made a "clear choice" in favor of remaining together.

In a statement published on X, the prime minister emphasized cooperation and shared responsibilities across the country.

"They chose unity, to build together, and to take care of each other," said Mark Carney, Canada's prime minister.

The federal government has also sought to improve relations with Alberta since Carney took office last year. He has worked with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith to advance a proposed pipeline intended to increase overseas exports of the province's bitumen, a project that had faced major obstacles under former prime minister Justin Trudeau.

Despite the result, separatist leaders indicated that their campaign would continue. Jeffrey Rath, a senior figure in the Alberta Prosperity Project, said the movement would persist following Monday's vote.

Rath said his campaign would "absolutely" continue.

He argued that the independence movement had already built substantial support across the province, despite losing the vote.

"As far as I'm concerned we've already won. We've created a massive movement in this province," said Jeffrey Rath, a leader of the Alberta Prosperity Project.

Rath said the group intended to continue promoting its case for independence among residents.

"We've been educating Albertans on the benefits of independence and we're continuing to move forward," said Rath.

Roger Hodkinson, an 82-year-old retired doctor who supports separation, also indicated that the campaign would remain active.

"This movement is not going to stop," said Roger Hodkinson, a supporter of Alberta independence.

Smith, a conservative who opposed independence, welcomed the result on Tuesday. She had called the referendum and argued that a federalist victory would settle the divisive question of secession.

Smith praised the "widespread support for remaining in Canada" following the vote.

Thomas Lukaszuk, head of the pro-unity organization Forever Canadian, also welcomed the outcome.

"It's amazing to see the enthusiasm and resolve among Canadians," said Thomas Lukaszuk, leader of Forever Canadian.

Alberta possesses the world's fourth-largest proven oil reserves, and frustration over the management of its energy industry has helped fuel support for independence. Smith previously blamed Trudeau for intensifying separatist sentiment, accusing his government of seeking to restrict oil production to advance its climate agenda.

The movement has also attracted attention from prominent figures in the United States. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described Alberta as a "natural partner" for the United States, while Elon Musk, a prominent supporter of Trump, posted on X this month that Alberta "should separate."

Rath has held meetings at the US State Department, and separatists have received advice from Republican political operatives. These contacts have drawn additional attention to the independence campaign as Canada navigates strained relations with Washington.

Alberta Prosperity Project leader Mitch Sylvestre criticized Carney's message during the final days of the campaign, saying the prime minister had pressured the province.

Sylvestre said Carney had "threatened" Alberta and characterized the warning about the consequences of separation as "very unreasonable."

Carney's message was that "voting against Canada is dangerous," according to Sylvestre.

For some voters, cooperation with the rest of Canada remained preferable to pursuing independence. Haley Erdegard, a 44-year-old Edmonton voter, questioned the argument that Alberta was being forced to share too much of its oil revenue with other provinces.

"I think we probably need to put some more work towards cooperation before making rash decisions about trying to start our own country," said Haley Erdegard, a voter in Edmonton.