Alberta voters reject plan for referendum to leave Canada, CBC projects

Supporters of the pro-Canada group Forever Canadian wave flags and hold signs to urge people to vote in Alberta's non-binding independence referendum. Photograph: Ahmed Zakot/Reuters View image in fullscreen Supporters of the pro-Canada group Forever Canadian wave flags and hold signs to urge people to vote in Alberta's non-binding independence referendum. Photograph: Ahmed Zakot/Reuters Alberta voters reject plan for referendum to leave Canada, CBC projects Projection delivers a victory for prime minister Mark Carney and supporters of Canadian unity Voters in Canada’s Alberta have overwhelmingly rejected a proposal to begin a process toward independence, the national broadcaster CBC has projected, delivering a victory for prime minister Mark Carney and supporters of Canadian unity. With more than 1 million votes counted early Tuesday, about 76% supported remaining in Canada, compared with 23% who backed beginning a process that could lead to separation. About a third of ballots had been counted. Even though the vote was not explicitly about independence – a point that frustrated separatists – the ballot question nonetheless exposed divisions in Alberta’s politics and raised questions about the durability of national unity. Delays at roughly 100 of the 1,400 at polling stations across the province pushed results back – but shortly after polls closed on Monday evening, the results suggested a decisive win for those looking to remain in Canada. The separation question – whether to remain in Canada or begin a legal process that could lead to a second vote – was one of 10 put to Albertans on Monday. The others covered issues including immigration, healthcare, education and the province’s constitutional powers. Elections Alberta said the remaining results could take days to count. ‘This is not poker’: Alberta goes to polls in referendum that has exposed divisions, not least among separatists In the days leading up to the vote, provincial leaders and federal politicians crisscrossed the province to make the case for a unified country. Prime minister Carney, who grew up in Edmonton, warned against a vote from residents of the oil-rich province simply looking to “send a message” to the federal government. “A vote against Canada is a dangerous bluff that will lead to years of deep uncertainty and lost opportunities for Albertans and Canadians,” he told an energetic crowd last week. The Conservative leader, Pierre Poilievre, whose parliamentary seat is in the province, told a crowd of supporters that Albertans were not “quitters”. “To those people who are thinking about taking out their frustration on the current government , I say this: Canada is more than a government,” he said. “It is a people, a flag, a land, a history and a promise.” Data from Elections Alberta indicated roughly 43% of eligible voters – or 1.3 million Albertans – had already cast ballots before Monday’s vote through advance voting and mail-in ballots.