Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed his excitement over the outcome of the Alberta separation referendum, emphasizing a commitment to unity and progress with the province. He praised the decision of Albertans to remain united and collaborate for a common purpose. Carney revealed that he had discussions with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith about supporting the victims and families affected by the recent tragedy at the Canada Forces base in Wainwright, Alberta, before turning to the referendum.
The referendum results indicated a strong preference for Alberta to remain a part of Canada, with over 75% of voters supporting the province’s continuity within the country. Carney highlighted the overwhelming majority favoring unity and emphasized the need for collective efforts to benefit all Albertans and Canadians. Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the decisive choice made by Albertans for national unity.
In addition to the referendum outcome, Carney and Smith delved into other pressing matters, such as immigration, which was one of the key questions on the ballot. The results of the immigration-related question are still being processed. Carney addressed the shared responsibility of immigration between provinces and the federal government, noting that Quebec has more autonomy in setting eligibility criteria. He dismissed the notion of constitutional amendments as the only solution for reform, suggesting a collaborative approach with provinces to address immigration and judicial issues.
While considering the possibility of constitutional changes, Carney emphasized the importance of finding common ground through cooperation before resorting to constitutional amendments. He acknowledged the proposal for Alberta to appoint judges to provincial courts but emphasized the need for working together to find solutions before exploring constitutional changes if necessary.
