Alberta referendum vote to remain is ‘great result for Canada,’ Carney says

Albertans voting decisively not to pursue separation was a “great result for Canada,” Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Tuesday.

Carney said he was “thrilled that Albertans have chosen unity.”

“They’ve chosen to build together. They’ve chosen to continue to take care of each other, to move forward together with purpose,” Carney said.

He spoke with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on the phone on Tuesday morning, Carney said.

The “first focus” of the call was the fire at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright and the supports that both governments can provide for the victims and families affected by the fire.

2:18 Alberta referendum results show decisive support for staying in Canada

“Then we turn to the referendum and moving forward in the spirit of cooperative federalism, including on issues of immigration, other common priorities of the federal government, the provinces,” Carney said.

The nation’s focus must now be on questions of affordability, safety and immigration, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said on Tuesday.

“Albertans have decisively voted for a stronger Alberta within a united Canada. The promise of Canada is worth fighting for,” Poilievre, MP for the Alberta riding of Battle River-Crowfoot, said in a statement.

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The referendum result was a “clear rejection of the politics of division,” NDP Leader Avi Lewis said.

“We know things are tough in Alberta, from health care to the cost of living, to the embattled education system and so much more,” Lewis said.

“But as so many Albertans have shown us, we don’t fix our problems by turning on each other,” he added.

By deciding to not pursue separation, “Albertans saved Canada,” Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi said, thanking the Indigenous people of Alberta in particular.

“No one has been more hurt by the mistakes of this country, and no one has been a stronger champion of Canada. First Nations Chiefs and Councils, along with countless volunteers, have spoken up for Canada,” Nenshi said.

Some of Canada’s premiers also reacted to the results on Tuesday.

“Canada is stronger with Alberta as part of it, and last night’s results show the overwhelming majority of Albertans agree with this,” Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston said.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said he was “glad to see Albertans vote overwhelmingly in favour of remaining in Canada.”

“There is still work to be done on improving how western Canada is treated by Ottawa. But Canada is worth that effort,” he said.

Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Tony Wakeham said his province “welcomes the decision of Albertans to remain within a strong and united Canada.”

“While Canadians may hold differing views on these issues, the result affirms the value of working together to address challenges and advance shared interests. Canada’s strength comes from the ability of provinces and territories to work together in pursuit of common goals,” Wakeham said.

5:38 Alberta referendum: Separatist leader Jeff Rath says province will never be independent as long as ‘avowed federalist’ Danielle Smith is UCP leader

Elections Alberta began releasing the results of the province’s referendum on the topic late Monday night, with around 76 per cent of Albertans voting to remain part of Canada.

The separatism question asked voters if Alberta should remain in Canada or if the provincial government should begin the legal process of holding a future binding referendum on whether or not Alberta should separate from Canada.

–With files from Global’s Karen Bartko