Referendum: Carney: Alberta residents want to remain part of Canada

Residents of the Canadian province of Alberta have spoken out against further steps towards secession from the rest of the country, according to Mark Carney. They had, as the first projections suggested, “a clear decision,” said in a statement published on X by the Canadian Prime Minister. “They chose unity, to build together and to care for each other,” it said. Even if the votes on all questions were still counted, today’s results meant that “the inhabitants of Alberta and all Canadians will move forward together with new impetus and great ambition.” According to initial projections, more than 76 percent of voters were in favor of the province remaining in Canada, the broadcasters CBC and CTV News reported. The final result is due to be published on 29 October, according to the Electoral Authority. The residents of Alberta had voted in a referendum on Monday on whether the province should seek a second binding referendum on separation from Canada – as well as nine other questions on immigration and the constitution. Specifically, they asked: “Should Alberta remain a Canadian province, or should the Alberta government initiate the legal process required by the Canadian Constitution to hold a binding referendum in the province on whether Alberta should secede from Canada or not?” In recent surveys, a large majority had spoken out in favor of remaining as part of Canada – about 70 percent. Around 20 percent opposed it. The rest were undecided. Those who wished could vote already by letter or personally in advance. The Canadian province of Alberta with about five million inhabitants is located in the west of the second largest country in the world and is popular with tourists mainly because of its national parks in the Rocky Mountains. Most of the residents live in the metropolises of Edmonton and Calgary. Alberta is considered particularly conservative. Many pro-independence advocates believe that the province makes a major economic contribution to Canada’s prosperity, but is politically disadvantaged by the Ottawa government. Alberta is the center of Canada’s petroleum and natural gas industry and boasts huge oil sands deposits.