Prime Minister Mark Carney meets with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith at his office in Ottawa earlier in May.Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press
Alberta is an essential part of the country, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Friday, as he pressed the case for making Canada better by working together rather than breaking it up.
Mr. Carney lauded the “huge contributions” of Albertans to the country and said his government is focused on improving on what’s already there.
His brief remarks were delivered after Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced on Thursday evening that she will call a referendum on whether to hold a referendum on separation this fall.
Alberta to vote on whether to hold a binding separation referendum
“Canada is the greatest country in the world, but it can be better. And we’re working on making it better. We’re working with Alberta on making it better,” Mr. Carney said from the Library of Parliament.
“Canada’s working. We’re working in a spirit of co-operative federalism to make the country better.”
Ms. Smith’s announcement triggers a five-month campaign before the Oct. 19 vote. While talk of a separation referendum has simmered in Alberta for months, Ottawa had taken a muted approach on the issue until it was made clear whether a vote would actually take place.
On Friday, the Prime Minister made his most forceful comments yet on the need for Canada to stay united. He spoke from the historic centre of Parliament Hill, which is currently closed to the public for a years-long heritage renovation project. He linked that rehabilitation work to the efforts his government is making to build Canada up.
“We’re renovating the country as we go, and Alberta being at the centre of that is essential,” he said.
Mr. Carney pointed to negotiations with Alberta that led to a new agreement on climate policies and a new pipeline to the West Coast, as a concrete example of Alberta making gains within Canada.
He also made the case that his government is taking the same approach across the country to help bolster all economies, including in B.C., where he has signalled federal support for a port expansion and energy projects. In Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador, Mr. Carney said Ottawa is participating in talks on Churchill Falls, and in Ontario, the focus is on opportunities in nuclear power.
Alberta will proceed with a non-binding referendum in October on whether its residents want to remain part of Canada, Premier Danielle Smith said Thursday.
Reuters