Carney says US trying to break Canada amid Alberta independence referendum vote

The oil-rich province of Alberta will vote to decide whether it wants to remain a Canadian province or begin the legal process of secession. Carney warned that the United States was trying a divide-and-rule tactic.

Carney says the US is trying to break Canada as the Alberta vote approaches

16/10/2026 October 16, 2026 The oil-rich province of Alberta will decide whether to remain a province of Canada or begin the legal process of secession. Carney warned that the United States was trying a divide-and-rule tactic.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney warned the people of oil-rich Alberta that the United States is trying to break up Canada so it can "own us."

Carney was speaking at a pro-Canadian rally in Calgary ahead of a vote that will decide whether the disaffected western province will begin legal proceedings to secede from Canada.

"The world is more dangerous and divided. Some outside our borders are trying to break us so they can own us," he said without naming the United States or its president, Donald Trump.

This is not the first time Carney has made such a claim. His warning comes as Washington and Ottawa are in the middle of a trade war and Trump has threatened to make Canada the 51st US state.

Meanwhile, Carney's efforts to reduce Canada's dependence on the United States have angered Trump.

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Monday's vote in Alberta is not a direct referendum on independence. Instead, the province, which has the world's fourth-largest proven oil reserves, will vote to decide whether to remain a province or order the government to begin the legal process for a secession referendum.

Albertans have long had grievances with Liberal governments in Ottawa, from concerns over immigration and federal power to management of the oil industry. While Carney, who grew up in Alberta, has tried to address the frustrations, many issues remain to be resolved.

"The frustration felt by many Albertans is real," Carney said.

However, he urged people there not to use the vote as a "message" to the federal government.

"Don't be fooled by the idea that you can 'send a message' with your vote," Carney said. "This is not poker. A vote for Canada is a dangerous bluff that will lead to years of deep division and great uncertainty."

Mitch Sylvester, who heads the Alberta Prosperity Project, a prominent separatist organization, told Ambassador Arjan that US interests have "no role" in Alberta "until we win and become a government." At that point, he guaranteed free trade.

Stating that there is no enmity with America here, he added that he sees no reason to stop trade with the world's largest economy.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant has called Alberta a "natural partner" for the US, and leaders of the Alberta Prosperity Project have held numerous meetings at the State Department.

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