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Carney warns outside forces want to "break us so they can own us" at Calgary rally ahead of Alberta vote
Prime Minister Mark Carney told a pro-Canada rally in Calgary on Thursday that forces outside Canada's borders are trying to divide the country so they can "own us," urging Albertans to vote to stay in Canada in the Oct. 19 referendum.
Why it matters
Alberta votes on Monday, Oct. 19, on whether to stay in Canada or instruct the provincial government to begin the legal process toward a future separation referendum. It is not a direct vote on independence, but the result would decide whether the province starts down the legal path to separation.
What Carney said
At the "Forever Canadian" rally at Calgary's BMO Centre, Carney told roughly 5,000 supporters: "Vote like Canada depends on it. Because it does."
He called the referendum "the worst possible time": "The world has become more dangerous and divided. Some outside our borders are working to break us so they can own us." Carney did not name U.S. President Donald Trump directly, but the remarks come amid Trump's repeated threats to make Canada the 51st U.S. state and an ongoing trade war.
Carney acknowledged Albertans' frustrations are real but warned against using the ballot to send Ottawa a message: a vote against Canada is a dangerous bluff that would bring years of division and uncertainty. He urged voters for "a decisive result" on Monday to settle the question.
Referendum background
Alberta holds the world's fourth-largest proven oil reserves. Premier Danielle Smith called the referendum but backs staying in Canada — she voted Wednesday to remain, while saying support for separation is higher than she would like.
The Forever Canadian campaign was launched by former Alberta deputy premier Thomas Lukaszuk to encourage voters to stay. Carney is set to attend another rally in Edmonton on Friday, with advance voting running through Saturday.
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