Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Prime Minister Mark Carney said Alberta’s planned vote on separating from Canada is unhelpful and undemocratic, as he warned against repeating the mistakes of Britain’s Brexit referendum.
On Monday, Mr. Carney intensified his criticism of Premier Danielle Smith’s plan to hold a vote this fall on whether Alberta should remain in Canada, or start the legal process to hold a binding, second referendum on separation.
After months of pressure from pro-separation activists, she confirmed last week that she will add the question about the province’s future in the federation to an Oct. 19 vote.
The echoes of Brexit now loom large in the debate around Alberta separation, and in his Monday comments, Mr. Carney made a direct link between the two secessionist movements and his experience as Bank of England governor during that referendum.
Former British prime minister David Cameron held a referendum vote on leaving the EU in 2016, after pressure from some in his political base. He campaigned to stay in the union and resigned after losing that vote. Negotiations to sever ties between Britain and the EU took more than four years.
Based on his experience in Britain, Carney warned against falling for any pro-separation argument that contends a vote to leave would strengthen Alberta’s hand in negotiations with the federal government.
“That is a very dangerous bluff,” he said. “They’re still, 10 years later, trying to undo what people didn’t think they were voting for, but what they ended up having.”
In a statement sent in response to the Prime Minister’s comments, Ms. Smith said she also wants Canada to remain united. However, she cautioned against too strong a federal intervention.
“This is a decision for Albertans – not Ottawa – and Albertans’ frustrations have been fuelled by the last 10 years of disastrous policies from Ottawa under his predecessor, Justin Trudeau,” Ms. Smith said. #alberta #abpoli #cdnpoli
Prime Minister Mark Carney said Alberta’s planned vote on separating from Canada is unhelpful and undemocratic, as he warned against repeating the mistakes of Britain’s Brexit referendum.
On Monday, Mr. Carney intensified his criticism of Premier Danielle Smith’s plan to hold a vote this fall on whether Alberta should remain in Canada, or start the legal process to hold a binding, second referendum on separation.
After months of pressure from pro-separation activists, she confirmed last week that she will add the question about the province’s future in the federation to an Oct. 19 vote.
The echoes of Brexit now loom large in the debate around Alberta separation, and in his Monday comments, Mr. Carney made a direct link between the two secessionist movements and his experience as Bank of England governor during that referendum.
Former British prime minister David Cameron held a referendum vote on leaving the EU in 2016, after pressure from some in his political base. He campaigned to stay in the union and resigned after losing that vote. Negotiations to sever ties between Britain and the EU took more than four years.
Based on his experience in Britain, Carney warned against falling for any pro-separation argument that contends a vote to leave would strengthen Alberta’s hand in negotiations with the federal government.
“That is a very dangerous bluff,” he said. “They’re still, 10 years later, trying to undo what people didn’t think they were voting for, but what they ended up having.”
In a statement sent in response to the Prime Minister’s comments, Ms. Smith said she also wants Canada to remain united. However, she cautioned against too strong a federal intervention.
“This is a decision for Albertans – not Ottawa – and Albertans’ frustrations have been fuelled by the last 10 years of disastrous policies from Ottawa under his predecessor, Justin Trudeau,” Ms. Smith said. #alberta #abpoli #cdnpoli
