PM Carney ‘open’ to reforming the Constitutionpublished at 01:31 BST
01:31 BST
Jessica Murphy
Canada digital editor
Image source, Reuters
As we’ve been reporting, there are nine other questions being voted on in today’s Alberta referendum, which have been overshadowed by question 10, on separation.
Five deal with the province gaining more control over immigration. They also relate to giving Alberta more autonomy but would require reforms to Canada’s constitution, which can be no easy task.
Depending on the amendment put forward, it can require support from the House of Commons, the Senate, and a minimum number of provincial legislatures.
One ask – abolishing the un-elected federal Senate – would require unanimous agreement between Parliament and all 10 provinces. (Senators are appointed in Canada).
Last week in the province, Prime Minister Mark Carney told supporters “vote no to the nine”.
In a podcast hosted by Ryan Jespersen, external, a radio host, that was posted on Friday, he went into more depth on the subject.
“The Constitution is not un-amendable, to be clear, but it requires building a real consensus around what’s necessary to change and which elements you are going to change,” he said.
“I get the point about an unelected Senate,” he noted, but added that Canada does update the number of seats in the House of Commons to reflect growing populations in places like Alberta.
“Am I open to Constitutional reform? Yes, I’m open to it, or I’m open to it with laying the groundwork for consensus.”
He said he was focused more on “co-operative federalism”, when federal and provincial governments work together towards mutual goals.