Poilievre to give unity speech in Alberta ahead of separation referendum

BURLINGTON · Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre will travel to Alberta next week to deliver a speech on national unity days before the province holds a referendum. Poilievre made the announcement at a press conference in Burlington, Ontario on Friday, stating he would be doing "additional campaigning on the ground" in the province. His address, titled "The Canadian Drift: Reclaiming Confidence, Abundance and Freedom for Alberta," is scheduled for October 16 at the Canada Strong and Free Network conference in Calgary. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is also slated to speak at the event following Poilievre's remarks.

Poilievre called for national solidarity ahead of the vote. "We encourage all Canadians of all parties to join in uniting all Canadians to make ourselves safe, affordable, and fully independent here at home," he said. The trip coincides with a House of Commons break for the Thanksgiving weekend. On October 19, Albertans will decide on a ballot question about pursuing a future separation referendum, alongside nine other questions on constitutional and immigration matters.

The Conservative leader also responded to recent comments by Elon Musk, who suggested Alberta, Saskatchewan and Quebec should separate. "Canadians control their own destiny," Poilievre said. He added, "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." The premiers of Alberta and Saskatchewan have dismissed Musk's remarks, and Quebec's premier has said he will not initiate a separation vote while Donald Trump is U.S. president.

Prime Minister Mark Carney, asked about Musk's comments at a Thursday press conference in Sherbrooke, Quebec, said the future of Canada will be decided by Canadians. Musk holds Canadian citizenship through his mother, who was born in Saskatchewan. Alberta Conservative MP Dane Lloyd is leading the federal party's unity campaign in the province. Lloyd commented this week on media reports that Alberta separatists had sought U.S. government support in exchange for potential water and oil rights. "No one has the right to promise away Alberta’s birthright," Lloyd said Monday. He declined to label the activity as foreign interference, stating more information was needed. Mitch Sylvestre of the Alberta Prosperity Project denied his group offered such rights during three meetings with U.S. State Department officials, noting he attended only one.

With files from Global News, The Globe and Mail and CityNews