Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada must reduce its economic dependence on the United States by expanding its energy infrastructure and strengthening domestic industries, as he addressed thousands of supporters at the Forever Canadian rally in Edmonton on Friday.
Speaking at the Edmonton EXPO Centre, Carney highlighted the federal government’s plans to expand energy production and improve access to international markets, describing Alberta as central to Canada’s economic future.
The prime minister pointed to the proposed Pacific Link pipeline as an important part of the government’s strategy to diversify energy exports beyond the United States.
“By building the Pacific Link pipeline, we are launching our full energy potential. We are reducing our dependence on the United States,” Carney told the crowd.
His remarks came amid continuing trade tensions between Canada and the United States and just three days before Albertans vote in a provincial referendum that includes a question about the province’s future within Confederation.
During his address, Carney emphasized Alberta’s contributions to Canada’s energy sector and said the province would play a significant role in efforts to strengthen the national economy.
“Canada is building big again. Alberta is at the very heart of it,” he said.
The prime minister has identified the Pacific Link pipeline as a major infrastructure initiative intended to expand Canada’s access to overseas energy markets.
At a similar rally in Calgary on Thursday, Carney said the project could create more than 140,000 jobs and generate revenues to support public services, including health care, child care and education-related programs.
Those figures represent the federal government’s projections rather than independently established economic outcomes.
The proposed pipeline is part of a broader effort to diversify Canadian energy exports, which have historically depended heavily on American buyers.
Expanding access to international markets could provide Canadian producers with additional customers, although the project’s eventual economic impact would depend on its development, financing, regulatory requirements and market conditions.
Carney also used the Edmonton rally to address Alberta’s upcoming referendum, scheduled for Monday, October 19.
The referendum includes a question asking Albertans whether the province should remain part of Canada or whether the provincial government should begin the legal process toward a future binding referendum on separation.
The October 19 vote will not itself result in Alberta becoming an independent country.
Carney warned that growing international uncertainty made national unity particularly important.
“The world is becoming more dangerous and divided,” he told supporters.
He also warned about external forces seeking to weaken Canada.
“Open your eyes. There are some outside our borders who are working to break us, so they can own us. Never, never,” Carney said.
Although the prime minister did not specifically name the United States in that warning, his comments came against the backdrop of trade disputes with Washington and previous statements by U.S. President Donald Trump about Canada becoming the 51st American state.
Carney urged Albertans to consider the potential consequences of beginning a process toward separation, arguing that political uncertainty could affect investment and economic development.
The prime minister acknowledged longstanding disagreements between Alberta and successive federal governments, particularly over natural resources, energy development and federal policies.
Carney, who grew up in Edmonton, spoke about his personal connection to the province.
“Alberta is my home. I grew up here. This city, this province, this country have given me everything: my family, my education, my values,” he said.
He recognized that many Albertans have felt their economic contributions and energy resources were not adequately understood or supported by federal policymakers.
Carney said those disagreements should be addressed through cooperation between provincial and federal governments rather than separation.
“When something’s not right, when something’s not fair, we as Albertans, as Canadians, we don’t hide from it, we don’t walk away from it,” he said.
“We fix it together, and we become stronger because of it, because that is Alberta, that is Canada.”
The Forever Canadian campaign, launched by former Alberta deputy premier Thomas Lukaszuk, organized rallies in Calgary and Edmonton to encourage support for Alberta remaining within Canada.
The Edmonton event followed Thursday’s rally at Calgary’s BMO Centre, which drew an estimated 5,000 people.
While the rallies attracted supporters of Canadian unity, Alberta’s independence movement continues to argue that the province needs greater control over its political and economic affairs.
Some independence advocates maintain that existing federal-provincial arrangements have failed to address Alberta’s concerns about resource development, taxation and federal authority.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has publicly opposed separation while supporting the referendum process as an opportunity for residents to express their views.
Smith has also emphasized the importance of improving Alberta’s relationship with Ottawa and pursuing policies that strengthen the province’s economic position within Canada.
Outside Friday’s Edmonton rally, independence supporters gathered to express opposition to Carney’s message, reflecting the competing positions surrounding the referendum.
Referendum Set for October 19
The referendum will present Albertans with 10 questions covering immigration, provincial services, constitutional matters and Alberta’s relationship with Canada.
Question 10 asks voters to choose between remaining a province of Canada and beginning the legal process toward a future binding referendum on separation.
Carney encouraged voters to participate, saying the outcome would depend on those who cast ballots rather than public opinion surveys.
“So once again, turnout will decide this referendum because polls don’t vote; only people vote,” he said.
The prime minister concluded his Edmonton remarks by emphasizing cooperation and economic development.
“Now is the time to build, not break. It’s our turn to stand up for Canada,” he said.
Albertans will cast their ballots on Monday, October 19, with the referendum results expected to provide an indication of public opinion on the province’s constitutional future.
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