Alberta residents voted by a large majority to remain part of Canada in the province's first-ever referendum on separation. The result gives Prime Minister Mark Carney a win as he tries to unify the country amid a trade war with the US. The separatist movement is unlikely to disappear, though.
Alberta residents voted by a large majority to remain part of Canada, handing Carney what CNBC calls a much-needed win. At 5:45 a.m. (1145 GMT) on Tuesday, with three-quarters of the votes counted, 76% of Albertans had backed the "remain" side, versus 24% in favor of a binding vote on separation. The referendum was nonbinding.
Pollsters and analysts had dismissed the possibility of a separatist victory, citing data that showed only about one-third of residents supported a future referendum on leaving.
Carney and Smith respond
Carney said in a statement that Albertans chose unity. According to CNBC, he added: "Canada is greater than the sum of its parts," he said.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who announced the referendum in May, said she was "very pleased" that early results showed widespread support for remaining in Canada. She planned to address Albertans at 6:45 p.m. on Tuesday.
Second separatist test in two weeks
However, Monday's vote was the second time in two weeks that Carney faced a separatist challenge. An independence-minded party won power in Quebec on October 5 but fell short of the majority needed to fulfill a vow to hold a vote on breaking with Canada.
There was no immediate reaction from President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly talked about the United States annexing Canada. Carney has pointed to Alberta's critical role in helping Canada reduce its dependence on the US.
Independence movement set to carry on
The result is unlikely to end the push for independence. Before the referendum, some separatist leaders said they would pursue another vote even if most Albertans wanted to remain. According to an Angus Reid poll released on October 16, 62% of Albertans believe there will never be an end to the separatist movement.
The ballot also carried nine other nonbinding questions on measures to strengthen the province's hand with Ottawa. Provisional results showed voters backed eight of the nine, some with only small majorities.
Source: CNBC
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