Carney campaigns in Alberta as separation vote enters final days
What's next: Alberta voters cast ballots Monday on whether to start the legal path toward a future independence referendum.
Prime Minister Mark Carney campaigned in Calgary on Thursday against Alberta separation as the province headed into the final stretch before Monday's vote. More than 450,000 Albertans had already voted early or by mail on a question asking whether the province should remain in Canada or begin the process toward a binding referendum on leaving. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith backs staying in Canada but called the vote after a grassroots petition drew about 300,000 signatures. Polling cited by Carney and other reports suggests most Albertans support national unity, though separatist organizers have tapped long-running anger over federal energy and environmental policy in Canada's oil-producing province.