Edmonton Journal and CTV News Edmonton have reported:

Prime Minister Mark Carney ended a two-day tour of Alberta with a rally in Edmonton on Friday night, urging Albertans to vote for the province to remain in Canada in Monday’s referendum. More than 5,000 people gathered at the Edmonton Expo Centre, where supporters in Maple Leaf clothing filled the bleachers, waved Canadian flags, danced and cheered. Carney warned that separation could bring years of uncertainty and lost opportunities as the world becomes more dangerous and divided.

“Alberta’s my home,” Carney told the crowd. “I grew up here,” he added. “This city, this province, this country, have given me everything -- my family, my education and my values.” The audience greeted him with applause and stomping feet as he came on stage to the Sam Roberts Band’s “We’re all in This Together.” He described his earlier Calgary event as “fantastic,” then said, “But this is Edmonton. This is the city of champions.”

Carney urged people not to assume the result was settled, asking them to vote and bring others with them. Polls have suggested a strong majority favour staying in Canada, but leaders have warned that low turnout could leave separation with a path to victory. “There are some outside our borders who are working to break us so they can own us. Never,” Carney said. He called a vote against Canada “a dangerous bluff” and said, “Our country and your futures are too precious to play games with.”

The referendum ballot contains 10 questions: one on whether Alberta should leave Canada, five on immigration and four on constitutional changes. Albertans have been voting by mail and at advance polls. Elections Alberta reported that more than one million people had voted by Friday night, after saying over one million had cast ballots as of Thursday night. Saturday is the final day for advance voting; on Monday, voting stations open at 9 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Elections Alberta estimates that 80 to 85 per cent of registered voters will cast ballots.

Carney has travelled through Edmonton, Red Deer and Calgary, meeting residents, taking selfies and shaking hands. He gave a similar unity speech to thousands in Calgary on Thursday. He said the referendum came at the worst time and would be a foolish gamble with Alberta’s future “just to send a message.” The speech included references to his childhood skating rink in Laurier Heights, Boyle Street Community Services and the Edmonton Oilers.

He also addressed Alberta’s grievances over energy policy. “The frustrations that many Albertans have felt are real,” he said. “Growing up, I remember how Ottawa made Albertans feel like our resources weren’t our own, and more recently, we were made to feel that our energy contributions were running against the tides of history.” He added, “Canada isn’t perfect. But we are the best,” and said, “And we are getting better.” Carney said Alberta was central to his government’s nation-building plans, including greater spending on local infrastructure and the Pacific Link pipeline, which he said became the first item for the major projects office. He said Alberta could help unlock Canada’s full “energy potential” and reduce dependence on the United States.

Earlier Friday, Carney appeared with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith at Red Hart Brewing in Red Deer, between Edmonton and Calgary. They tapped a keg, shared a beer, sang O Canada and made a final appeal for Alberta to stay in Confederation. About 50 people squeezed inside the brewery, with another 100 supporters outside. Attendees wore Canada-themed shirts, hats, sweaters, jerseys and pins; mayors, MPs and former Alberta premier Ed Stelmach were there. Across the street, one protester walked back and forth carrying an Alberta flag.

Smith and Carney praised one another as sharp-eyed, flinty negotiators who defend their positions while seeking what is best for Canada. They said they were making progress, including on a proposed fast-tracked oil pipeline from Alberta to the B.C. coast. “For the first time in a long time, Alberta and Canada are walking together,” Smith said. They remain at odds over the other nine referendum questions. Smith wants voters to endorse proposals giving her government more control, imposing new immigration rules and pursuing constitutional changes that would shift power from Ottawa. She has said she needs a mandate to negotiate a better deal with the federal government. Carney has urged voters to reject those proposals, while Smith said she would try to change his mind. Handing Carney a booklet explaining the questions, she said, “I have bad news for you, prime minister, all of the premiers are interested in talking about immigration and how we might be able to reform it.”

Carney’s call to stay in Canada was echoed by Federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, who made a unity appeal in Calgary on Friday at the Canada Strong & Free Network. He said he understood separatist disillusionment but argued that leaving was not the answer. “Quitting is the easy way out - and Albertans are not quitters,” Poilievre said. “We don’t just take our ball and go home. We don’t walk away. We stand and fight for what we believe in, and we reflect upon all that we have.” He cited rising costs, what he called a lax justice system, an out-of-control immigration program and federal policies that curtail resource development. “Canada is more than a government,” he said. “It is a people, a flag, a land, a history and a promise.”

At the Edmonton rally, Forever Canadian leader Thomas Lukaszuk, retired CBC radio host Mark Connolly and hockey legend Kevin Lowe also spoke in support of unity. Former premier Rachel Notley sent a recorded message. Lukaszuk told the crowd, “Fifty to 150 years from now, our children and our grandchildren will be studying about this in their social studies classes.” Edmonton Mayor Andrew Knack urged voters to consider the nine questions beyond separation, arguing they would divide Albertans and distract from provincial priorities. He pointed to Edmonton’s Heritage Festival as an example of the city’s diversity and said, “I believe Edmontonians would rather see Premier Smith spend their money on new schools,” followed by, “Or maybe a new hospital.” The audience chanted “no to nine.”

One person shouted as Carney spoke about Canadians serving in the military. “Please,” Carney said, “(show) some respect for our men and women in service.” Smith called the referendum earlier this year, saying discontent with past federal policies had reached a boiling point, with hundreds of thousands signing petitions both for and against remaining in Confederation. She said a referendum was needed to resolve the issue. Critics argue she has instead inflamed and validated fringe separatist sentiment to appease hardliners in her United Conservative Party, risking the country’s future. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 16, 2026.