Carney says ‘Canada is working’, as Alberta readies for vote on separation referendum

CALGARY – Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed the thorny issue of Alberta’s separatist movement on Friday with a metaphorical plea for unity, saying it’s time to build up the country together.

He likened the federation to the Parliament buildings: currently under renovation.

Carney, while on a construction site tour of Parliament, didn’t directly mention the plan announced by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith to hold a vote in the fall about whether to have a binding referendum on separation. 

But the prime minister insisted the country can be improved by working closely with the province on his economic agenda.

“We’re renovating the country as we go,” Carney said in the Library of Parliament, gesturing up toward construction work in the Centre Block. “Alberta being at the centre of that is essential.”

Carney talked up the landmark energy agreement he recently made with Smith to promote the development of a pipeline and carbon capture and storage. He also pointed to his efforts with other premiers to build up critical infrastructure.

“Canada is working,” Carney said. “We’re working in the spirit of co-operative federalism to make the country better.”

Smith announced in a televised address Thursday there will be a separation question on an Oct. 19 referendum.

Albertans won’t directly vote on whether Alberta should leave Canada but will be asked instead if the province should hold a future binding referendum to separate.

The referendum question is to read: “Should Alberta remain a province of Canada or should the government of Alberta commence the legal process required under the Canadian Constitution to hold a binding provincial referendum on whether or not Alberta should separate from Canada?”

Smith was set to hold a news conference later Friday.

Separatist leaders have dismissed the referendum question as cowardly.

Jeff Rath, the lawyer for Stay Free Alberta, the group that collected signatures to try to force a separation referendum, said it’s an insult to those seeking independence.

Cam Davies, leader of the pro-independence Republican Party of Alberta, agreed and called Smith’s referendum question “spineless.”

Rob Anderson, Smith’s chief of staff, said in a social media post that calling a binding referendum this fall just isn’t feasible.

Last week, a  judge threw out the Stay Free Alberta petition, and Smith promised an appeal. Anderson said the courts would likely strike any attempt to go ahead with a binding vote until the appeal process is finished.

“You don’t have to agree with the court’s decision — I sure don’t — but that’s how our justice system works,” Anderson said.

“It’s time for Albertans to decide whether we want to spend time, expense and effort pursuing separation or whether Albertans want to remain, continue to work on undoing the last 10 years of horrendous Trudeau-era policies and fight for a stronger Alberta within a united Canada.”

Smith, in her address, said her plan is the best way for Albertans, particularly those unhappy with the federal government, to make their voices heard.

She also said she’ll be voting for Alberta to stay in Confederation.

The question becomes the 10th on the Oct. 19 referendum. The other questions, announced in February, ask about immigration reform and constitutional concerns.

Separatists in Alberta had been pinning their hopes on Smith putting a separation question straight on the ballot since last week’s court decision ruling that the government had neglected its duty to consult First Nations.

Lori Williams, a political scientist at Mount Royal University in Calgary, said the referendum question won’t satisfy angry hardliners in Smith’s United Conservative Party.

“This was meant to be a release valve, something that would settle the matter,” said Williams. “We’re seeing quite the opposite.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 22, 2026.

— With files from Kyle Duggan in Ottawa