Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Friday that Alberta was "essential" to the country's future, hours after the province's leader moved the oil-rich region closer toward a referendum on independence.

An Alberta legislative committee recommended on Thursday that the oil-rich province should proceed with a referendum on whether it wants to remain part of Canada, a move which…

The government in the oil-rich province of Alberta plans a referendum on leaving Canada but says it won't actually be a vote on whether to separate.