Alberta rejects move toward independence from Canada

EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Voters in oil-rich Alberta province overwhelmingly backed remaining in Canada, according to referendum results released Tuesday, delivering a boost to Prime Minister Mark Carney’s push for national unity as United States President Donald Trump’s trade war and annexation threats rally Canadians around their country.

With more than 1.8 million votes counted and results reported from 84% of voting areas and locations, 75% of voters supported remaining in Canada, while 25% backed beginning a process toward separation, according to unofficial results from Elections Alberta.

The referendum was not a direct vote on independence. Approval would have set Alberta on a path toward a future vote on separation from Canada.

“It’s a great result for Canada that Albertans have chosen unity,” Carney told reporters Tuesday before a Cabinet meeting in Ottawa.

Carney said that the roughly one-quarter of Albertans who voted to begin the separation process did not necessarily want independence, saying only a smaller “hard core” group may actually want to leave Canada.

Some voters said they supported another referendum to express frustration with Ottawa rather than a desire to leave Canada.

“The result is absolutely clear. It’s a vast majority in favor of staying in Canada. And now is the time to work together for all Albertans and all Canadians,” Carney said.

Carney said he spoke with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on Tuesday morning about the referendum’s results and greater federal-provincial cooperation, including immigration.

He said their first priority was supporting victims and families affected by the deadly military training fire at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright.

Alberta’s separatists, however, saw a silver lining.

“It is fair to say that at least a quarter of Albertans feel that Alberta needs to be treated better,” said Keith Wilson, a leader of the separatist movement.

Smith welcomed the early results, saying they showed widespread support for remaining in Canada.

“Albertans have voted for a stronger Alberta in a united Canada,” Smith posted on social media.

Smith, who called the referendum amid pressure from separatists within her governing United Conservative Party, or UCP, despite opposing independence, said that she would address the province Tuesday evening about the results and Alberta’s future.

“We are a solid country that’s united from coast to coast to coast,” Thomas Lukaszuk, a former Alberta deputy premier who led the Forever Canadian campaign against separation, told supporters.

The results were delayed after late openings forced more than 100 polling stations to extend voting hours Monday.

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