Skip to Content Subscribe Our Offers My Account Manage My Subscriptions FAQ Newsletters Canada Canadian True Crime Canadian Politics Health World Israel & Middle East Financial Post NP Comment Longreads Puzzmo Diversions Comics NP News Quiz New York Times Crossword Horoscopes Life Eating & Drinking Style Sponsored Play for Ontario Travel Travel Canada Travel USA Travel International Cruises Travel Essentials Culture Books Celebrity Movies Music Theatre Television Business Essentials Advice Lives Told Tails Told Shopping Buy Canadian Home Living Outdoor Living Tech Style & Beauty Kitchen & Dining Personal Care Entertainment & Hobbies Gift Guide Travel Guide Deals Savings National Post Store More Sports Hockey Baseball Basketball Football Soccer Golf Tennis Driving Vehicle Research Reviews News Gear Guide Obituaries Place an Obituary Place an In Memoriam Classifieds Place an Ad Celebrations Working Business Ads Archives Healthing Epaper Manage Print Subscription Profile Settings My Subscriptions Saved Articles My Offers Newsletters Customer Service FAQ Newsletters Canada World Financial Post NP Comment Longreads Puzzmo Diversions Life Shopping Epaper Manage Print Subscription HomeNewsCanadaCanadian PoliticsCarney warns that Alberta separatism referendum question a 'very dangerous bluff'Carney confirmed that he would be 'certainly' be campaigning for Alberta to remain in Canada You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.Prime Minister Mark Carney answer questions from members of media after touring a newly built house in Orleans on Monday, May 25, 2026. Photo by HYUNGCHEOL PARK /PostmediaOTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney warned that Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s referendum question on potential separatism is a “very dangerous bluff” and argued that it is “not helpful” to ask such questions.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorSpeaking to reporters from a residential construction site in Ottawa, Carney had a stark warning for Albertans ahead of Smith’s referendum question on provincial sovereignty in the fall: be wary of what you’re voting for.“It is often advanced that ‘vote for this, and it’s a free option’, ‘vote for this, and we will strengthen your hand in future negotiation.’ That is a very dangerous bluff,” Carney said.“I saw firsthand what happened in the United Kingdom when the view was, ‘vote for this, it will be soft, and then we’ll negotiate, etc.’,” Carney said of the U.K.’s Brexit vote to leave the European Union. “They’re still, 10 years later, trying to undo what people didn’t think they were voting for, but what they ended up having.”Last week, Smith revealed that she would be putting a separatism question to Albertans via a referendum on October 19th.The question on the ballot will read: “Should Alberta remain a province of Canada or should the Government of Alberta commence the legal process required under the Canadian Constitution to hold a binding provincial referendum on whether or not Alberta should separate from Canada?”The question “does not trigger separation” but, if it passes, would trigger the legal process for a binding referendum on separatism if the vote passes, she argued. She added that she would be voting for Alberta to remain in Canada.Smith said she was putting the first question on separatism in the province’s history to Albertans to avoid “kicking the can down the road” on the issue.But Carney countered Monday that the move is in fact “not helpful” as he and Smith work to improve political and economic ties between the federal government and Alberta.When asked if he had recommended against putting the question to a referendum during a recent meeting with Smith, Carney responded that “the premier doesn’t always take my advice.”The prime minister also pointed to the fact that nobody in Alberta knew they were casting a vote for an eventual referendum on separatism during the last provincial election.“Is it helpful to ask these fundamental questions? No, it’s not helpful, of course it’s not. Is it the democratic will of Albertans? Did they vote for this in the last provincial election? No, they didn’t,” the prime minister said.“It wasn’t on the ballot paper, wasn’t in the mandates of or platforms of the governing party and the official opposition. It is what it is.”Carney confirmed that he would be “certainly” be campaigning for Alberta to remain in Canada leading up to the October vote. He also noted that Parliament would be taking a look at an eventual referendum question to ensure it conforms with the obligations under the Clarity Act.National Postcnardi@postmedia.comOur website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark nationalpost.com and sign up for our politics newsletter, First Reading, here. Join the Conversation This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.