EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Voters in oil-rich countries Province of Alberta overwhelmingly in favor of remaining in Canada, according to the results of the referendum published Tuesday, which gives a boost to the Prime Minister Mark Carney’s efforts for national unity as president of the United States Donald Trump’s trade war And threats of annexation rally Canadians around their country.
With more than 1.8 million votes counted and results published in 81% of polling areas and locations, 75% of voters supported stay in Canadawhile 25 per cent were in favor of starting a process toward separation, according to unofficial results from Elections Alberta.
The referendum was not a direct vote on independence. Approval would have put Alberta on the path to a future vote on separation from Canada.
Carney said Tuesday that the roughly quarter of voters who supported the proposal shouldn’t necessarily be considered supporters of independence. The ballot asked whether to hold another referendum on independence, and some voters used it to express their frustration with Ottawa, he said.
“The outcome is absolutely clear. There is a large majority in favor of remaining in Canada. And now is the time to work together for all Albertans and all Canadians,” Carney told reporters before a Cabinet meeting in Ottawa.
“Alberta needs to be treated better”
Carney said he spoke with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on Tuesday morning about the referendum results and greater federal-provincial cooperation, including on immigration. He said their first priority was to support victims and families affected by the deadly military training fire at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright.
Alberta separatists, however, saw a glimmer of hope.
“It’s fair to say that at least a quarter of Albertans believe Alberta needs to be treated better,” said Keith Wilson, a leader of the separatist movement.
Black-smith welcomed the initial results, saying they demonstrated broad support for remaining in Canada.
“Albertons voted for a stronger Alberta in a united Canada,” Smith posted on social media.
Smith, who called the referendum under pressure from separatists within the ruling United Conservative Party, or UCP, despite its opposition to independence, said she would address the province Tuesday night about the results and Alberta’s future.
“We are a strong, united country from coast to coast,” Thomas Lukaszuk, a former deputy premier of Alberta who led the Forever Canadian campaign against separation, told supporters.
Results were delayed after late openings forced more than 100 polling stations to extend voting hours on Monday.
A fringe cause has become a movement that won’t go away
Alberta, home to the fourth largest proven laboratory in the world oil reservesis cowboy country and a conservative bastion whose political culture has long had more in common with the American West than with much of Canada. Resentment toward Canada’s federal government in Ottawa runs deep, but has not traditionally translated into widespread support for independence.
Despite the massive rejection, separatist leaders said they transformed a fringe cause into a movement that won’t go away.
Separatist parties have traditionally attracted only 1 to 2 percent of the vote, said former prime minister Jason Kenney. Anger over COVID-19 restrictions helped mobilize activists who later embraced the separatist movement, he said.
Trump’s trade war and threats to make Canada the 51st US state helped Support for the Carney Rally in Alberta, where Liberal prime ministers have always been unpopular.
At a nighttime separatist referendum rally at an Edmonton restaurant, the crowd remained silent as the results came in.
“We’re not going anywhere,” said Jeff Rath of the Alberta Prosperity Project. “We have dominated the conversation over the past year. We have educated Albertans about the benefits of independence and we will continue to move forward.”
Rath had said he would be happy with 30% support. He wants Smith ousted as UCP leader and has said the party could split, potentially creating a new pro-independence party.
A referendum on a referendum
Edmonton voter Shawn Campbell said he voted to begin the separation process, even though he didn’t want Alberta to leave Canada.
“This sends a message to Ottawa that Albertans are not satisfied,” he said.
Dustin Degenhardt, a constituent in the town of Wainwright, said Albertans have long been mistreated by Canada’s federal government.
“Alberta was basically treated like, you know, a colony,” he said after Monday’s vote. “They want to take us again and again, and give us nothing back. »
Dave Malka, 59, of Edmonton, criticized spending money on a “referendum on a referendum” rather than on health care.
As Trump threatens Canada, Malka said: “This seems to be happening at the worst time when we should be united. Instead we are fighting among ourselves.”
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Ty ONeil contributed to this report from Wainwright, Alberta.
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