Albertan voters reject step towards leaving Canada

Voters in Canada’s Alberta have overwhelmingly rejected a proposal to begin a process towards independence.

76% supported remaining in Canada, while close to 24% backed beginning a process toward separation, according to unofficial results from Elections Alberta.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who grew up in Edmonton, Alberta’s capital, said: “Albertans made a clear choice. They chose unity, to build together, and to take care of each other. Above all, Albertans chose Canada.”

He said the result would allow Canadians to move forward together and accelerate efforts to diversify trade, develop major infrastructure projects and make Canada a global energy powerhouse, with Alberta at its centre.