Carney Warns U.S. Trying to “Break” Canada as Alberta Votes Monday on Separation Path

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney warned this week that forces outside Canada’s borders are working to “break us so they can own us,” urging Alberta voters to reject a referendum on Monday that would start the legal process toward a future separation vote.

“This referendum comes at the worst possible time,” Carney told a pro-Canada rally in Calgary on Thursday. “The world has become more dangerous and divided. Some outside our borders are working to break us so they can own us.”

Carney did not name the United States or President Donald Trump in those remarks. He has done so in similar speeches before, the Associated Press reported.

The warning came as Trump wages a trade war with Canada and repeats his suggestion that Canada should become the 51st U.S. state. Carney has argued that Canada needs to build up its economy so it depends less on the United States.

Monday’s vote is not a direct referendum on independence. Albertans will choose between remaining a province and instructing the provincial government to begin the legal process toward a future separation referendum. Alberta holds most of Canada’s oil reserves, the fourth-largest proven reserves in the world, and has about five million residents.

Carney, who grew up in Alberta, spoke to about 5,000 people at the BMO Centre on Thursday, according to his office. Some waited more than two hours to get through security. He addressed a second rally in Edmonton on Friday.

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

In Edmonton on Friday, Carney made his closing pitch. “Don’t let anyone tell you this is already decided. Turnout will determine the outcome,” he said, repeating the warning from the night before: “Some outside our borders are working to break us so they can own us. Never. Never.”

Premier Danielle Smith called the referendum. On Wednesday she said she cast her own ballot to remain in Canada, while acknowledging that support for separation is higher than she would like. Polls suggest fewer than one-quarter of Albertans back independence, though separatist groups have gained momentum in recent years.

On Friday, Smith appeared alongside Carney in Red Deer in a show of unity against independence. She praised Carney for improving relations with a province that clashed repeatedly with his predecessor, Justin Trudeau, over carbon taxes and energy policy. Noting that Carney grew up in Alberta and still roots for the Edmonton Oilers, she joked, “He can’t be all bad, right?”

Separatist leaders argue that existing arrangements with Ottawa have failed to address Alberta’s grievances over energy policy, immigration and federal power. Smith has said Canada can still work, but that changes are needed.

Advance polling runs through Saturday. A decisive result could settle the separation question for a generation — or open a legal path toward a binding vote down the road.