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Prime Minister Mark Carney says U.S. is trying to break Canada as Alberta votes on separation path

Updated 9:16 AM ET · 7:36 AM ETConfirmed

World Desk

In Short: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has urged Albertans to vote to remain in Canada ahead of an independence referendum.

Carney's comments echo warnings he has made in the past about the threat US tariffs pose to Canada's economy and security.

The 19 October referendum was called by Alberta's Premier Danielle Smith earlier this year after a grassroots group gathered around 300,000 petition signatures asking for a binding referendum on separation. More than 450,000 Albertans have already voted early or by mail on a question asking if they wish the province to remain part of Canada, or start the process of holding a binding referendum to separate.

Supporters of separation argue that the oil-rich, landlocked province has been overlooked by federal politicians in Ottawa despite the wealth it contributes to Canada. Campaigners on both sides are making their final pitches ahead of Monday's vote, though polls indicate most Albertans are supportive of a united Canada.

Carney's appearance with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith in Fort McMurray highlights his efforts to address Alberta's grievances. He designated the Pacific Link pipeline, a project of national interest, to fast-track construction and reduce Canada's dependence on the United States.

Carney's approach contrasts with previous Liberal policies, particularly those of his predecessor, Justin Trudeau. He has fast-tracked the Pacific Link pipeline, which he says will create more than 140,000 jobs and generate revenue for social programs.

The referendum includes 10 questions on immigration, public services, constitutional powers, and Alberta's future in Canada. Carney emphasized that the outcome of the referendum will depend on voter turnout.

Background

What's confirmed

• Prime Minister Mark Carney has urged Albertans to vote to remain in Canada ahead of an independence referendum, warning that the "stakes are high".
• "The world has become more dangerous and divided. Some outside our borders are working to break us so they can own us," Carney said, echoing warnings he has made in the past about the threat US tariffs pose to Canada's economy and security.
• The oil-rich province of Alberta will vote to decide if it wants to remain a Canadian province or start the legal process toward separation.
• "The frustrations that many Albertans have felt are real," Carney said, adding that Ottawa had made Albertans feel "like our resources weren't our own." However, he urged the public there to not use the vote as a "message" to the federal government.
• Albertans will decide whether to remain in Canada or instruct the government to begin the legal process toward a future separation referendum.
• Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, arrives with Executive Director of Public Interest Alberta Brad Lafortune to meet volunteers at Bridgeland Riverside Community Association Park in Calgary, Alberta, on Thursday Oct.
• CALGARY, Alberta (AP) — Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney warned Thursday that the United States is trying to break Canada so it can “own us” as he urged oil-rich Alberta not to begin a process toward separation in Monday’s referendum.
• Carney said Thursday it couldn't be worse timing and warned the U.S. is trying to break Canada to own it.
• Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has campaigned for national unity as advance voting is underway in oil-rich Alberta in a referendum that could set the province on a path toward a future vote on separation from Canada.
• Canada Prime Minister, center left, meets with University of Calgary students in Calgary, Alberta, Thursday, Oct.
• Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney, right, meets with supporters at a restaurant in Calgary, Canada, Thursday, Oct.
• “The stakes are high. This referendum, it comes at the worst possible time. The world has become more dangerous and divided,” Carney said at a rally in Calgary ahead of Monday’s vote, which will see residents decide whether the oil-rich province should hold a referendum on independence.

What's still developing

• Smith, a Conservative whose political base includes supporters of independence, has advocated for Alberta to remain in Canada but has said the referendum is a chance to hear directly from Albertans on the issue.
• Mitch Sylvestre, who heads the Alberta Prosperity Project, a prominent separatist organization, told AFP that US interests "don't play a role" in Alberta "until we win and become a government."
• With U.S. President Donald Trump waging a trade war and threatening to make Canada the 51st state, Carney warned that the referendum comes at the “worst possible time” and urged Albertans not to take the outcome for granted.
• “I think what we can agree on is that we have had some real change in the last 18 months,” Smith said alongside Carney in Red Deer, Alberta.
• She recently cited a poll showing 22% of Albertans support separation, a figure she said was still too high.
• A little touchy," Carney joked, drawing laughter. He was referring to U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra's warning to Canadian politicians not to interfere in the U.S. midterm elections. Tanya Clemens, co-chair of the pro-independence group Let Alberta Decide, acknowledged Carney presents a challenge. "He's formidable for sure," Clemens told The Associated Press. Clemens argued, however, that Carney's agreements with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith amount to "pinky promises" that do not resolve long-standing grievances with Ottawa. Keith Wilson, another leader of Let Alberta Decide, rejected Carney's argument that global instability made this the wrong time for the vote. "The worst timing for this, why?
• Supporters cheers as Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney attends a Forever Canadian rally in Calgary, Alberta, Thursday, Oct.
• President Donald Trump wages a trade war and his repeated threats to make Canada the 51st U.S.
• President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the G7 summit, in Evian, France, on June 16, 2026.
• Carney said the government wants final regulatory conditions in place by September 2027, clearing the way for construction.
• Speaking at a pro-unity rally on Thursday in Calgary, Carney said the referendum is taking place "at the worst possible time" and called on voters to deliver a "decisive result" against separation.
• Thursday's rally is one of two back-to-back pro-unity events that the prime minister is scheduled to attend in Alberta, with another one set for tomorrow in Edmonton, his hometown.

Sources

• BBClink
• DWlink
• Dailyjournallink
• Eagle-Tribunelink
• Goshen Newslink
• NBC Newslink
• Ottumwa Courierlink
• PBSlink
• Prescott Daily Courierlink
• TRT Worldlink
• The Alabama News Wirelink
• The Joplin Globelink
• Timelink
• WarpBeat — background on Carney Warns US Threatens Canada as Alberta Votes on Separation link
• Wikipedia — background on Mark Carney link
• CTV News — video link