Carney 'working with Alberta' on making Canada better in wake of Smith's referendum announcement

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney said Friday morning that he’d continue working with Alberta on shared economic goals , with a referendum relating to the province’s future in Canada now officially set for the fall.

“Canada is the greatest country in the world, but it can be better. And we’re working on making it better. We’re working with Alberta on making it better,” Carney told reporters in Ottawa.

Carney touted progress on the Canada-Alberta memorandum of understanding on energy development, including last week’s agreement on the industrial carbon tax and the construction of a new heavy oil pipeline to the West Coast.

“Just a week ago, I was in Calgary with Premier Smith and we announced a landmark agreement, the next step in landmark agreement on a wide range of issues. It’s very much centered on the energy sector, all aspects of energy pipeline, and carbon capture opportunities to cooperate with neighboring provinces, moving forward, with new technologies like geothermal, nuclear, others,” said Carney.

Carney also took a moment to reflect on the historical contributions of various Albertans to Canada, such as former Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the “Alberta Five” who advocated for women’s suffrage.

“I think when I come to Parliament of the great Albertans, there’s many too many to list,” said Carney.

Carney’s comments come after Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said on Thursday that she was opting to present her own referendum question to Albertans in the fall.

Fellow Albertans, please join me this evening for an important update on the 2026 Referendum. https://t.co/XG5SeCKvZs

— Danielle Smith (@ABDanielleSmith) May 21, 2026

The Alberta government’s proposed question does not explicitly offer an option of Alberta independence, instead asking whether the province should agree to have a later legally binding referendum on whether to separate from Canada.

Carney spoke to a pool camera at the Library of Parliament, which was not broadcast live and didn’t allow for questions from reporters.

More to come.

National Postrmohamed@postmedia.com

• Danielle Smith's Captain Canada moment
• Danielle Smith says she will put her own separation-related referendum question to Albertans in October

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