Voters in Canada’s oil-rich Alberta province overwhelmingly backed remaining in Canada, with early referendum results Tuesday delivering a boost to Prime Minister Mark Carney’s push for national unity amid US President Donald Trump’s trade war and annexation threats.
With more than 1 million votes counted, 77 per cent supported remaining in Canada, while 23 per cent backed beginning a process towards separation, according to unofficial results from Elections Alberta.
The vote was not a direct referendum on independence but would have set the province on a path towards a future vote on separation from Canada.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith welcomed the early results, saying they showed widespread support for remaining in Canada.