Historic referendum in Canada: 76 percent opposed separation

The first referendum on the process of secession from the country was held on October 19 in the western Canadian province of Alberta.

As of Tuesday morning, with three-quarters of the votes in the non-binding referendum counted, 76 per cent of voters voted to remain part of Canada. The rate of those who support starting the process to hold a binding referendum on secession remained at 24 percent.

The result of the referendum provided significant political support to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who is trying to ensure national unity during the ongoing trade war with the United States.

CARNEY: CANADIANS CHOOSE THE UNION

Making a statement after the referendum results, Carney stated that the people of Alberta made a clear choice and said, "They chose to unite, build together and protect each other." he said.

"Canada is greater than the sum of its parts," Carney said. he said.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who announced the referendum in May, said she was pleased that the initial results showed strong support for remaining in Canada.

OIL WEALTH IS THE MAIN ARGUMENT OF THE SEPARATIONISTS

The separatist movement in Alberta, one of Canada's most important energy production centers, argues that the province's oil and natural gas revenues are used to finance poorer parts of the country.

Independence supporters argue that Alberta would be much more economically prosperous if it were freed from the bureaucracy of the federal government in Ottawa.

Carney, on the other hand, warned at the rally held in Calgary last week that a choice to leave Canada would lead to deep divisions that would last for years.

TRUMP'S STATEMENTS ON CANADA ARE ALSO ON THE AGENDA

There has been no statement yet from US President Donald Trump regarding the referendum results.

Trump has repeatedly stated that Canada should join the United States.

In his statement regarding Alberta in January, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent argued that the province should be allowed to join the USA.

Canadian Prime Minister Carney emphasizes that Alberta plays a critical role in the country's goal of reducing its economic dependence on the United States.

SEPARATIONISTS ARE ALSO ON THE AGENDA IN QUEBEC

The vote in Alberta was the second major test of separatism in Canada in the last two weeks.

A pro-independence party won the elections held on October 5 in the province of Quebec, where the French-speaking population is concentrated. However, the party failed to gain the majority it needed to hold a referendum on secession from Canada.

Independence referendums held in Quebec in 1980 and 1995 were both rejected.

THE SEPARATIONIST MOVEMENT MAY CONTINUE

The referendum result in Alberta is not expected to completely end the independence debate.

According to the survey published by the Angus Reid research company on October 16, 62 percent of the state's residents believe that the separatist movement will never completely disappear.

The referendum also voted on nine proposals aimed at strengthening the provincial government's powers vis-à-vis Ottawa on issues such as immigration, education, health care and voter ID requirements.

According to preliminary results, eight of these recommendations were accepted. However, some regulations received support with only small margins of votes.