Canada: Proposal for a referendum on Alberta's independence rejected

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has stated that the people of Alberta have delivered a "clear verdict" by rejecting a proposal for a referendum on independence.

He said, "On October 19, the people of Alberta delivered a clear verdict. They chose unity—deciding to move forward together and look out for one another. Above all, the people of Alberta chose Canada."

Carney added, "We now have the opportunity to make the most of everything we have as Canadians. And we have the greatest country in the world. Now, we must work to make our country even better for all of us."

Preliminary results from the vote on a potential referendum for Alberta’s independence show that 76.5% of voters opted to remain part of Canada.

Alberta is a key oil-producing province in western Canada. The people of Alberta voted on whether the province should remain in Canada or if a referendum should be held regarding its separation from the country.

In this province—which has traditionally leaned Conservative—proponents of separation are dissatisfied with the Liberal government led by Prime Minister Mark Carney.

Canada has faced threats to its unity in the past, some of which have even involved violence.

In the province of Quebec, two referendums on independence were held—in 1980 and 1995—both of which resulted in the rejection of independence.

Those who support independence for Alberta make no secret of the fact that they draw inspiration from the French-speaking, majority-population province of Quebec.