Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has urged residents of Alberta to vote against independence, warning that the outcome of the proposed referendum carries significant consequences for the country.
Speaking at a pro-unity rally in Calgary on Thursday, Carney described the vote as coming at “the worst possible time” and called for a decisive result in favour of keeping Alberta within Canada.
He spoke as more than 450,000 Albertans had reportedly voted early or by mail on whether the province should remain part of Canada or begin the process of holding a binding independence referendum.
Campaigners on both sides are making their final appeals ahead of Monday’s vote, with polls suggesting that most Albertans favour remaining in Canada.
However, Carney cautioned voters against assuming the outcome was already decided, urging them to make their voices heard at the ballot box.
