A Calgary Crowd Rallies for Canada as Alberta’s Vote on Secession Nears

A Calgary Crowd Rallies for Canada as Alberta’s Vote on Secession Nears - The New York Times

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Canada|A Calgary Crowd Rallies for Canada as Alberta’s Vote on Secession Nears

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/17/world/canada/alberta-referendum-separation-smith.html

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Newsletter Canada Letter

A Calgary Crowd Rallies for Canada as Alberta’s Vote on Secession Nears

Prime Minister Mark Carney was among the speakers calling for a united Canada and warning about the dangers of division.

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By Ian Austen

Oct. 17, 2026Updated 8:14 a.m. ET

See more of our coverage in your search results.Encuentra más de nuestra cobertura en los resultados de búsqueda. Add The New York Times on GoogleAgrega The New York Times en Google

I’m in Alberta to report on Monday’s referendum, which will include a question on whether the province should remain in Canada or move on to a second vote on secession.

Image!Mark Carney stands at a lectern on a stage in front of a crowd waving Canadian flags. A large banner behind him reads “Forever Canadian” on a modified Canadian flag.

*Prime Minister Mark Carney said Alberta’s referendum on its future in Canada “comes at the worst possible time.”Credit...Ian Austen/The New York Times*

My article on that and another with the results won’t appear until after this newsletter hits your inbox. To get a glimpse of the provincial mood — and, as a bonus, to take in spectacular scenery — I have been driving around Calgary and the rural, southern part of the province to meet Albertans. But on Thursday, I attended the first of what will be a series of large events for and against separation.

On Saturday, Let Alberta Decide, one of the separatist groups, will gather its supporters outside the legislature in Edmonton. But Forever Canada, the main group for Albertans who wish to stay, moved first. Prime Minister Mark Carney flew in to attend that group’s last large rallies — the first in Calgary on Thursday and the second in Edmonton on Friday.

About three hours before the event on Thursday was scheduled to start, I wandered over to the exhibition hall that was hosting it on the Calgary Stampede grounds. There was already a steady stream of people coming out of parking lots and a transit station to line up for the security check-in.

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!People stand in line inside a spacious building.

*Some people waited for two hours to enter the rally in Calgary where Mr. Carney spoke.Credit...Ian Austen/The New York Times*

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