Poilievre says he'll be campaigning 'across Alberta' for Canadian unity

OTTAWA — Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says he’ll be actively campaigning on the pro-Canada side ahead of a likely Alberta referendum.

The Calgary-born Poilievre told reporters Thursday that he’ll be travelling through his home province to help make the case for a united Canada.

“As prime minister in waiting, I will … be campaigning across the province of Alberta, encouraging Albertans to stay as part of the Canadian family, and encouraging nationwide unity for all Canadians,” said Poilievre.

Poilievre said that all members of his Conservative caucus will be joining him in “campaigning for Canadian unity in Alberta.”

He added that Conservatives will also campaign on the federalist side in Quebec, if separatists emerge victorious in this fall’s provincial election.

Poilievre was speaking at an unrelated press conference on property rights near Vancouver.

He said that, while he was a “strong Canadian federalist,” he understood why “federal Liberal irritants” like the gun “buyback” and restrictions on oil and gas developments were driving resentments.

“We believe that Alberta deserves a fairer deal in this country … but all for the purpose of making our country more united, more affordable and more strong,” said Poilievre.

Poilievre’s comments come hours before Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is expected to announce that a question relating to the province’s future in Canada will be added to the Oct. 19 referendum ballot.

Some 700,000 Albertans have signed two separate petitions calling for referendums on Alberta’s place in Canada.

Smith is scheduled to give a televised address to Albertans 6:45 p.m. MT on Thursday evening.

Two senior Alberta cabinet ministers tendered their resignations yesterday, a development seen by some as a sign of internal disagreement over a potential separatist referendum.

The Conservatives hold 33 of Alberta’s 37 seats into the House of Commons. Poilievre has been the MP for the rural Alberta riding of Battle River—Crowfoot since August 2025. He was parachuted into the safe Alberta seat after losing his long-held Ottawa area seat in that April’s federal election.

Polls show that separatism is gaining traction among right-leaning Albertans, especially in rural parts of the province.

National Postrmohamed@postmedia.com

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