PM Carney urges Canadians to stand united ahead of Alberta referendum

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney warned the United States is

trying to break Canada so it can "own us" as he urged oil-rich Alberta

not to begin a process towards separation in Monday's referendum.

Carney urged Canadians to stand united and for Albertans to

vote to remain in the country during a trip to the province.

“I'm going to say it two ways. The first is, there couldn't be a worse

time for this referendum. It's a dangerous and divided world. And, you know,

it's time for us to come together and stand up for ourselves.

And to take care of each other. Right? That's the lesson that we've taken.

And this is an opportunity to do both. Stand up for Alberta at the heart of Canada.

Recognise that we're all responsible for each other.

You think of the examples. You think of this province. You know, 30% of the

people in this province were born and educated in other provinces of Canada,” he says.

Carney's warning came as US President Donald Trump waged a trade

war with Canada and after his repeated threat to make Canada the 51st US state.

Carney has argued Canada needs to become more economically

resilient and less dependent on the United States.

Monday's vote is not a direct referendum on independence.

The vote will decide whether to remain a province or instruct the

government to begin the legal process toward a future referendum

on separation.