Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Monday voiced strongly worded opposition to an upcoming referendum on whether Alberta should secede from Canada, calling it a "dangerous bluff." File photo by Eric Reid/EPA-EFE
May 25 (UPI) -- Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Monday called a bid by the premier of Alberta to hold a referendum on separation a "dangerous bluff" that could produce deep regrets much like Britain's decision to leave the European Union.
Carney, who was governor of the Bank of England when British voters opted by a narrow margin to approve "Brexit" in 2016, said the referendum proposal announced Thursday by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith risks economic consequences that its backers cannot predict and are not prepared for.
During a press briefing in Ottawa, the prime minister issued his strongest remarks yet on Alberta's referendum, under which voters will be asked on Oct. 19 if they want to remain part of Canada or if the provincial government should initiate the process for holding a future, legally binding referendum on separation.
The risk in that, he said, is that the results of a referendum on whether to hold another referendum can be seen by many as the final word, even though proponents may say the results can merely be used for leverage.
