Carney urges Canadian unity as Alberta heads toward secession vote

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has appealed for national unity in his Thanksgiving address, a week before Alberta residents vote on a proposal that could set the province on a path toward independence.

In a video message released on Monday, Carney said the country cannot build major projects while divided, and argued that Canada faces challenges to its economy, security and way of life that require citizens to stand together rather than apart.

Albertans are due to vote on October 19 on a non-binding referendum asking whether the province should remain part of Canada or whether its government should begin the constitutional process needed to hold a future binding referendum on separation.

The vote has been driven by a vocal separatist movement within the province, which has long criticised federal energy and environmental policies. Supporters of secession argue that Ottawa has unfairly singled out Alberta's oil and gas sector, which forms the backbone of the province's economy.

The developments are also attracting attention in the United States, given that relations between Canada and Washington under President Donald Trump have recently come under strain.