Albertans reject starting a separation process from Canada in referendum

Voters in Alberta, a major oil-producing province in Canada, chose by a wide margin on Tuesday to stay in the country. According to unofficial figures from Elections Alberta, the provincial electoral authority, 75% voted to remain with about 90% of voting areas counted. The outcome supports Prime Minister Mark Carney's push for national unity at a time when US President Donald Trump's trade war and annexation threats are drawing Canadians around their flag.

The referendum was not a direct vote on independence. A "yes" would have put Alberta on a path toward a later vote on leaving Canada.

Carney: a great result

Speaking to reporters in Ottawa, Carney called it a great result for Canada. He argued that the quarter of voters who supported starting the separation process did not all necessarily want independence, and that only a smaller "hard core" favours leaving. Some voters have said they backed the question to send Ottawa a message. Carney said he spoke on Tuesday morning with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith about the results and about closer federal-provincial cooperation, including on immigration.

In a televised address, Smith promised not to call another separation referendum while she is premier. She said Alberta would keep pressing Ottawa for more autonomy, but would settle disputes through Canada's political and legal institutions rather than separation.

Separatists vow to continue

Separatist organiser David Parker acknowledged a defeat on social media, but movement figures said they would carry on. Jeff Rath of the Alberta Prosperity Project said: "We're not going anywhere."

Alberta holds the world's fourth-largest proven oil reserves and is a conservative stronghold. Former Premier Jason Kenney noted that separatist parties have historically drawn only 1% or 2% of the vote.