All posts tagged: Referendums

Mark Carney warns of Brexit-like regret if Alberta leaves Canada

Mark Carney warns of Brexit-like regret if Alberta leaves Canada

Published by Sam Flores

Mark Carney, Canada’s prime minister, during a news conference in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, on Thursday, May 14, 2026. David Kawai | Bloomberg | Getty Images Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has labeled oil-rich Alberta’s separatist movement a “dangerous bluff” that echoes the U.K.’s Brexit vote of 2016. Speaking to reporters in Ottawa on Monday, Carney shared “an observation from experience.” “In these separation issues, it is often advanced that, ‘vote for this and it’s a free option. Vote for this and we will strengthen our hand in future negotiations.’ That is a very dangerous bluff,” he said. “I saw first-hand what happened in the United Kingdom when the view was, ‘vote for this it’ll be soft and then we’ll negotiate.’ And they’re still, 10 years later, trying to undo what people didn’t think they were voting for but what they ended up having.” Last week, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced plans for the province to hold a non-binding vote on whether to remain a part of Canada or move ahead with a second binding vote on …

Oil-rich province to vote on whether to separate from Canada

Oil-rich province to vote on whether to separate from Canada

Published by Sam Flores

A view of the Syncrude refinery at its Mildred Lake facility, which has a capacity of bitumen conversion to synthetic crude oil of 350,000 barrels per day, in the Wood Buffalo municipality of Alberta, Canada, on May 5, 2026. Daphne Lemelin | Afp | Getty Images Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has announced plans for the oil-rich province to hold a non-binding vote in the fall on whether its residents wish to remain a part of Canada — or move ahead with a second binding vote on separation. The move marks the first time in Canadian history that a province other than Quebec has put the question of separation to the public and comes after months of campaigning from a group of separatists. Speaking during a televised address on Thursday evening, Alberta’s Smith said she supports the province remaining in Canada and would vote as such in a provincial referendum. “However, despite my personal support for remaining in Canada, I’m deeply troubled by an erroneous court decision that interferes with the democratic rights of hundreds of …