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Prime Minister Mark Carney brought a pro-Canada message to Alberta on Thursday as part of a barnstorming tour through the wild rose province ahead of Monday’s referendum on separation.
While greeting supporters across Calgary, Carney urged Albertans to not only vote to stay a part of Canada but also reject the nine other questions on the ballot, which touch on limiting immigration and constitutional reform.
The prime minister is scheduled to join former Alberta deputy premier Thomas Lukaszuk at a rally for his Forever Canadian group on Thursday evening. He’s also expected to attend a pro-remain event with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith in Red Deer on Friday ahead of another Forever Canadian rally in his hometown of Edmonton that evening.
“Polls don’t vote. People do,” he told a crowd at the Cinnamon restaurant in Calgary on Thursday morning.
WATCH | Carney rallies ‘no’ side supporters in Calgary:
Carney rallies ‘no’ side supporters in Calgary ahead of Alberta referendum
‘There couldn’t be a worse time for a referendum,’ Prime Minister Mark Carney told a crowd of union workers in Calgary on Thursday. Carney’s message ahead of Monday’s vote on a future separation question is that in a dangerous and divided world, ‘it’s time for us to come together’ and ‘stand up for Alberta.’
“For those who are undecided, it’s hard to think of a worse time for a referendum or a better time for the province. The world is dangerously divided.”
The critical Oct. 19 vote follows decades of Western grievances and a sense of alienation. It was brought forward by separatists after Smith lowered the threshold needed to prompt a referendum.
The ballot includes 10 questions addressing immigration and constitutional issues along with the key question of whether the province should stay in Canada or hold another, binding referendum on separating.
Carney greets students during a visit to the University of Calgary on Thursday. (Ahmed Zakot/Reuters)
While meeting pro-unity organizers, Carney encouraged people to vote both to stay in Canada and “no to the nine,” repeating the slogan of the movement against the nine other provincial referendum questions.
Those questions include whether migrants’ access to social programs should be limited and whether the province should work to abolish the Senate.
Asked for clarification on his stance, a spokesperson for the prime minister said the federal government works with Alberta on priorities and areas of concern “through established processes — without needing to have a referendum that divides us at a time when we need to be strong, and we are stronger together.”
In the months leading up to the vote, Carney has made an effort to underline the Liberals’ changed approach to energy projects including the proposed new pipeline to the West Coast.
Carney was largely greeted by fans and supporters during his stops in Calgary, some donning red and white or waving Canadian flags.
One woman told Carney she wore red for him.
It’s for us. It’s all for Canada,” replied Carney.
He was later mobbed by students at the University of Calgary, including one who asked the prime minister to sign his chest (he declined).
The government’s 11th-hour effort also includes a new video that uses archetypal images — from outdoor hockey to rolling mountains to a hospital gurney — as the national anthem is read aloud to pitch that a “united Canada is a stronger Canada.”
The campaign, running both on television and online ahead of Monday’s vote, will cost an estimated $250,000, according to the Privy Council Office.
Poilievre speaking in Calgary Friday
While the two aren’t scheduled to appear together, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is also bringing a pro-unity stance to Alberta this week. He will join Smith on Friday at the Canada Strong and Free Network conference in Calgary. His keynote address is entitled “The Canadian Drift: Reclaiming Confidence, Abundance and Freedom for Alberta.”
Just Asking wants to know: What questions do you have about the Alberta referendum and the impact the vote will have on both the province and Canada? Send us your questions before our October 17 show.
Last week, the Conservative leader, also from Alberta, dismissed tech billionaire Elon Musk’s calls for Quebec, Alberta and Saskatchewan to separate from Canada, saying “Canadians control their own destiny.”
Smith has said while she will vote to remain in Canada, she’ll vote yes to the other nine questions, arguing that would send a message to Ottawa that provinces need more autonomy.
“I haven’t been neutral on that,” Smith told CBC News last week. “I’ve been persuading people that this is what we need to do.”
Tens of thousands of Albertans have already cast their ballots in advance polls ahead of Monday’s closely watched referendum.