Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed his satisfaction with the outcome of the Alberta separation referendum, emphasizing his eagerness to collaborate with the province with a forward-looking mindset. He lauded the decision of Albertans to uphold unity during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday morning.
Carney highlighted the importance of standing together and advancing with determination and ambition. Prior to addressing reporters, he engaged in a conversation with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith regarding their joint efforts to support the victims and families affected by the recent tragedy at the Canada Forces base in Wainwright, Alta.
The referendum results revealed a resounding support for Alberta to remain a part of Canada, with over 75% of voters favoring unity. Carney emphasized the overwhelming majority in favor of maintaining Canadian unity and emphasized the need to collaborate for the benefit of all Albertans and Canadians.
Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc echoed Carney’s sentiments, describing the referendum outcome as a clear indication of Albertans’ commitment to Canadian unity. LeBlanc emphasized the government’s dedication to working collaboratively with all provinces.
Carney and Smith also discussed various priorities, including immigration, one of the key topics in the referendum. While immigration is currently a shared responsibility between provinces and the federal government, Quebec has more autonomy in setting eligibility requirements. Carney dismissed the idea of constitutional amendments as a prerequisite for empowering other provinces in immigration matters, advocating for alternative approaches to reform.
The possibility of constitutional changes, particularly related to immigration and court reforms, was raised during the referendum. Carney emphasized the importance of finding common ground through collaboration with provinces before considering constitutional amendments. He emphasized the need to prioritize working together to address issues effectively.
