Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney warned on Thursday (October 15, 2026) that the United States is trying to break Canada so it can “own us” as he urged oil-rich Alberta not to begin a process toward separation in Monday’s referendum.
“This is not poker. A vote against Canada is a dangerous bluff that will lead to years of deep division and great uncertainty.
“Don’t be fooled by the idea you can send a message’ with your vote,” Carney said. “The frustrations that many Albertans have felt are real,” he said. Carney said that while growing up, Ottawa made Albertans feel “like our resources weren’t our own” and that more recently the province was made to feel its energy contributions were “against the tides of history.”
Monday’s vote is not a direct referendum on independence. Alberta, which has the world’s fourth-largest proven oil reserves, will decide whether to remain a province or instruct the government to begin the legal process toward a future referendum on separation. He did not directly mention the U.S. or its President, Donald Trump, but has done so in similar past speeches. Mr Carney’s warning came amid U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade war with Canada and repeated threats to make Canada the 51st U.S. State. Mr. Carney has argued that Canada needs to become more economically resilient and less dependent on the United States.
