Prime Minister Mark Carney says that Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s referendum question on whether to hold a future referendum on separation is “not helpful” and that votes like this are a “dangerous bluff” that could backfire, as it has in other places, including the U.K. with Brexit.
Speaking to reporters at an affordable housing announcement in suburban Ottawa on Monday, Carney was asked if he had counselled Smith against holding such a divisive vote.
“The premier doesn’t always take my advice,” Carney said in response.
“Is it helpful to ask these fundamental questions? No, it’s not helpful.”
Carney added that a referendum question wasn’t part of the United Conservative Party’s election platform and that there was no mention of it during the last provincial campaign.
“It wasn’t on the ballot, it wasn’t in the mandate or the platforms of the governing party or the Official Opposition.”
WATCH | Carney on Smith’s ‘dangerous bluff’:
Carney says Alberta separation question is a ‘dangerous bluff’
Prime Minister Mark Carney said Alberta’s separation question will not create softer negotiations in the future. He cited the United Kingdom as an example: ‘they’re still, 10 years later, trying to undo what people didn’t think they were voting for,’ he said.
Carney, who was the governor of the Bank of England when the U.K. crashed out of the European Union, said he has firsthand experience of how referendum questions like this can spiral out of control.
He said the results of a referendum on whether to hold another referendum can be interpreted as the final say on whether to leave or stay.
“In these separation issues, it is often advanced that, ‘vote for this and it is a free option,’ or ‘vote for this, and we will strengthen our hand in a future negotiation.’ That is a very dangerous bluff,” he said.
“I saw it firsthand in the U.K.,” he said, adding that the country is “still trying to undo what people didn’t think they were voting for.”
The convoluted question in the 1995 Quebec referendum, which was interpreted by some as simply giving the provincial government a mandate to pursue a “a new economic and political partnership” and not outright independence, should also serve as a lesson, Carney said.
Smith’s question will be: “Should Alberta remain a province of Canada or should the Government of Alberta commence the legal process required under the Canadian Constitution to hold a binding provincial referendum on whether or not Alberta should separate from Canada?”
Polling from the Angus Reid Institute released on Monday shows more Alberta survey respondents would vote yes on that complicated question for a possible second referendum than they would on a simple question about whether Alberta should separate.
The data shows about 35 per cent of respondents would vote in favour of holding a second referendum with a binding question on separation whereas only 30 per cent would vote to separate if there was a straightforward question on independence.
Carney said the federal government is reviewing Smith’s question to see if it triggers the Clarity Act.
Under that law, the House of Commons decides whether a provincial referendum question is clear before it can be put to voters.
“We have an obligation as a federal government to look at the question and decide whether it’s consistent,” he said. “That is underway. If there are questions about the clarity of the question, that will be a role for Parliament.”
Carney speaks alongside Alberta Premier Danielle Smith in Calgary on May 15. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press)
Carney said he will actively campaign against any move to separate, making the case that the country is “stronger together.”
He said the recent Alberta accord he brokered with Smith, which could lead to a new oil pipeline to the Pacific, proves he is pursuing “co-operative federalism” designed to hold the country together and placate regional concerns.
The components will also be “wealthier together,” and Alberta’s citizens will be better looked after in a united Canada.
He pointed to federal programs like the Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security, Guaranteed Income Supplement, health-care transfers and affordable child care as reasons to avoid pulling out of the federation.
“Canadians take care of each other. It’s not perfect. We need to continue to work together, we are making progress,” he said. “We’re Canadian, we’ll come together.”
Smith defended her move following Carney’s criticism.
“This is a decision for Albertans — not Ottawa — and Albertans’ frustrations have been fuelled by the last 10 years of disastrous policies from Ottawa under his predecessor, Justin Trudeau,” she said.
“I would also remind all Canadians that we should not dismiss the legitimate grievances of Albertans. Instead, we should focus on addressing these issues, restoring hope in Canada and demonstrating that our country can work and is working.”
Smith reiterated that she supports Alberta staying in Canada and, like Carney, will campaign for the “remain” side ahead of the Oct. 19 vote.
WATCH | Liberal Calgary MP urges Canadians to ‘pick up the flag’:
Liberal Calgary MP urges Canadians to ‘pick up the flag’ and campaign against Alberta separation
Liberal MP Corey Hogan, who represents a Calgary riding, said he thinks that the conversation leading up to Alberta’s October referendum ‘is going to be damaging.’ Hogan encouraged ‘all good patriots’ to ‘make sure an online minority is not dominating the conversation.’
Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner criticized Carney for his warnings about the referendum and the “tone” he took, saying he had “no right to wag his finger at Alberta.”
“What the prime minister needs to do is project hope,” she said, while calling on Carney to immediately approve the West Coast oil pipeline once Alberta presents its plans for one later this summer.
Rempel Garner said many Albertans are frustrated that the last Liberal government spent 10 years trying to stymie some energy development.
Carney can now tamp down some of that resentment by prioritizing economic “equity,” she said.
Liberal MP Corey Hogan, the parliamentary secretary to the natural resources minister and a critical voice for Alberta in the federal caucus, said the “vast majority of Albertans are proud Canadians, they’re patriotic Canadians” and the polling on this question bears that out.
But the Calgary MP said that doesn’t mean the pro-Canada forces can rest on their laurels.
Hogan said he is assembling a pan-partisan coalition of MPs to lead the fight against any question that would put Alberta’s future in Confederation in doubt.
He’s also asking other forces to mobilize.
WATCH | Liberal Edmonton MP on risk of separation:
Minister ‘heartbroken’ at thought of Alberta’s fall referendum
When asked her thoughts on Alberta’s separation question, Minister of Emergency Management Eleanor Olszewski said she believes ‘being Albertan and being Canadian are the same thing’ and that separation is ‘unthinkable for most of us.’
“You have 21 weeks until this referendum question; don’t wait 10 to get involved. Get involved today, put up a flag, get out there, make the argument, share pro-Canada content, make sure a loud online minority is not dominating the conversation,” he said.
Eleanor Olszewski, the minister of Prairies Economic Development Canada, who represents Edmonton in the Commons, said she’s “heartbroken” that Alberta’s future is in question with a referendum pending.
She said she will take to the hustings this summer to remind constituents about what the Carney government has already done to improve Alberta’s standing in Canada, pointing to the pipeline deal and the agreement with China to end tariffs on some farm products.
“We just need to carry on and make sure we have the most decisive win,” she said. “There are countless Albertans who are absolutely ready to stand up for Canada.”
