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Prime Minister Mark Carney said Friday he’s determined to build a better Canada after the leader of the country’s oil-rich province of Alberta announced a public vote on whether to move toward independence.
The prediction markets don't see this happening. Those at Polymarket are giving the chance at 13%, which ticked up slightly from 12%.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Thursday a vote would be held Oct. 19 on whether Alberta should stay in Canada or take legal steps under the Constitution to hold a binding referendum on leaving. That fell short of the wishes of activists who have been seeking an immediate referendum on separating from Canada.
Carney, in his first remarks since Smith’s announcement, said Albertans have made huge contributions to Canada.
“Canada is the greatest country in the world, but it can be better and we are working on making it better. We’re working with Alberta on making it better,” Carney said while touring the Parliament buildings which are under renovation.
The Alberta independence movement has grown primarily out of economic frustration, regional identity, and political alienation from Canada’s federal government.
Alberta is widely considered Canada’s most conservative province politically. Conservatives won about 63.5% of Alberta’s vote in the 2025 Canadian federal election. In the 2019 federal election, Conservatives won roughly 69% of the Alberta vote. By comparison, that number is generally between 30% and 40% throughout much of the rest of Canada.
T.C. Jackson, Gambling911.com
