Edmonton: Voters in Canada’s oil-rich province of Alberta have rejected a proposal to begin the process of separating from the country, delivering a boost to Prime Minister Mark Carney and supporters of Canadian unity.
According to results released early Tuesday, around 76% of voters supported remaining part of Canada, while approximately 23% backed starting the process that could lead to a future vote on separation. More than one million ballots had been counted.
The vote was not a direct referendum on independence. Instead, it sought support for moving towards a possible future vote on whether Alberta should leave Canada.
The result came amid heightened tensions between Canada and the United States, with US President Donald Trump pursuing a trade war against Canada and repeatedly raising the prospect of bringing the country under US control.
Thomas Lukaszuk, Alberta’s former deputy premier and a campaigner against separation, welcomed the result, telling supporters: “We are a strong country, united from one end to the other.”
The counting process was delayed after more than 100 polling stations had to extend voting hours on Monday because they opened late.
More than 1.35 million Alberta voters, representing about 43% of eligible voters, had cast ballots in advance or through special voting arrangements.
