Canadian Prime Minister Carney addressed a large crowd on Tuesday at the Forever Canadian Rally in Edmonton, Alberta, and issued a warning regarding an upcoming provincial vote.
The ballot will ask residents whether the province should remain part of Canada or hold a second, binding vote on separation.
Carney told supporters that the referendum arrives at the worst possible time. "The world is becoming more dangerous and divided," he said.
He pointed to external threats facing the nation. "Open your eyes. There are some outside our borders who are working to break us, so they can own us. Never, never," he stated.
At the same time, the prime minister acknowledged historical grievances. He admitted that promises made between nations had been broken throughout the country’s history.
"When something’s not right, when something’s not fair, we as Albertans, as Canadians, we don’t hide from it, we don’t walk away from it," he said.
"We fix it together, and we become stronger because of it, because that is Alberta, that is Canada," he added.
Shifting focus to the government’s energy agenda, Carney pointed to the province’s role in national economic development. "Canada is building big again. Alberta is at the very heart of it," he noted.
He defended the Pacific Link pipeline project as a measure to develop energy resources and lower reliance on the United States. "By building the Pacific Link pipeline, we are launching our full energy potential. We are reducing our dependence on the United States," Carney explained.
Urging residents to reject separation and preserve national unity, the prime minister issued a direct appeal. "Now is the time to build, not break. It’s our turn to stand up for Canada," he said.
Carney spoke on the importance of high voter participation. "So once again, turnout will decide this referendum because polls don’t vote; only people vote," he said.
