Carney rallies in Calgary for Canada ahead of Alberta separation vote
Prime Minister Mark Carney attended a large pro-Canada rally in Calgary, Alberta, on Oct. 15 and urged Albertans to vote to stay in Canada in the province's referendum on separation. NBC News
He encouraged voters to back remaining in Canada ahead of the referendum vote, according to rally coverage. CTV News He closed with the line, "Vote like Canada depends on it." CBC
Carney was among speakers who called for a united Canada and warned about the dangers of division. The New York Times At the rally, he said the separation referendum comes at the worst possible time. PBS
The event was the Forever Canadian rally, organized by Forever Canadian founder Thomas Lukaszuk. CBC Lukaszuk was an early opponent of an Alberta separation referendum. Alberta is Carney's home province. AP
Alberta's premier stood with Carney against separation ahead of the referendum. KTSM Premier Danielle Smith has discussed a plan to give Albertans a say in the path forward for Alberta and Canada. The Prime Minister's Office published the text of Carney's remarks under the title "Prime Minister Carney delivers remarks at the Forever Canadian Rally."
Advance voting was already underway when Carney spoke. On the first day of advance voting, 174,532 Albertans cast referendum ballots. CBC
The vote is being held under Alberta's Referendum Act, which allows a referendum on constitutional questions to be ordered by the Lieutenant Governor in Council. Alberta's Advisory Panel on the potential impacts of separation has provided an independent assessment of a University of Calgary School of Public Policy report on separation. An Alberta government-hosted paper describes the October 2026 vote as a choice on whether to remain in Canada or begin the legal process toward separation.
