Poilievre to deliver unity speech in Alberta ahead of separation referendum
The Conservative leader will address a conference in Calgary days before Albertans vote on the prospect of a future separation referendum.
CALGARY — Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Friday he will be in Alberta just days before the province’s referendum to deliver a speech on Canadian unity.
Poilievre is scheduled to deliver his speech during the Canada Strong and Free Network conference in Calgary on Oct. 16.
His speech, titled “The Canadian Drift: Reclaiming Confidence, Abundance and Freedom for Alberta,” is expected to be followed by an address from Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who will also take part in a fireside chat with columnist Rick Bell.
READ MORE: Former U.K. leader David Cameron says Alberta separation vote differs from Brexit
READ MORE: Defence minister touts $8B military spending in Alberta ahead of referendum
“We encourage all Canadians of all parties to join in uniting all Canadians to make ourselves safe, affordable, and fully independent here at home,” Poilievre told a press conference in Burlington, Ont.
He said he will be doing “additional campaigning on the ground” in Alberta.
Albertans will vote on the prospect of a future separation referendum, along with nine other questions involving constitutional and immigration issues, on Oct. 19.
When asked about tech industrialist Elon Musk saying recently that Alberta, Saskatchewan and Quebec should separate, Poilievre said “Canadians control their own destiny.”
“Frankly, people can tweet whatever they want, but tweets and memes do not affect Canada. What affects Canada is the decisions made by the Canadian people,” he added.
The premiers of Alberta and Saskatchewan brushed off Musk’s comments, while Quebec’s new premier has said he won’t trigger a separation vote while U.S. President Donald Trump is in office.
Prime Minister Mark Carney said the future of Canada will be decided by Canadians when asked Thursday about Musk’s comments at a press conference in Sherbrooke, Que.
While Musk was born in South Africa, he holds Canadian citizenship because his mother was born in Saskatchewan. He has lived previously in Canada.
Alberta Conservative MP Dane Lloyd has been tasked with leading the federal Conservatives’ unity campaign in the province.
Responding to reports in The Globe and Mail about Alberta separatists allegedly seeking the help of the U.S. government in exchange for potential water rights and oil royalties, Lloyd said Monday “no one has the right to promise away Alberta’s birthright.”
Lloyd stopped short of describing that activity as foreign interference, saying more information needs to be gathered.
Mitch Sylvestre of the separatist Alberta Prosperity Project denied offering oil and water rights to the U.S. in his group’s three conversations with U.S. State Department officials in Washington. He also said he only attended one of those meetings.
The House of Commons will be on a break next week after MPs head back to their ridings for the Thanksgiving weekend.
The conference will also feature a debate and fireside chat titled “The Sovereignty Vote and the Path Forward” with former premier Jason Kenney and Calgary Confederation CPC hopeful Elan Harper.
Kenney has been fiercely vocal about staying in Canada.
Nosy Mag reported in September that the referendum campaign has revealed deep divisions in the province.
With files from Global News, The Globe and Mail and CityNews