Kenney and Notley urge Alberta to remain in Canada

Former Alberta premiers Jason Kenney and Rachel Notley appeared together in Edmonton on October 13 to urge voters to keep Alberta in Canada in a referendum scheduled for October 19, while calling for political consequences within the governing United Conservative Party after the vote. At an Edmonton Chamber of Commerce luncheon, the former political rivals made a joint case against separation. The referendum’s central question asks whether Alberta should remain in Canada or begin the process of holding a legally binding vote on leaving. Voters are also being asked to answer nine other questions concerning constitutional and immigration reforms. Kenney, who co-founded the UCP, said the party should reaffirm its founding commitment to a united Canada. He argued that people whose primary political goal is separation should pursue it through a separatist party, rather than the UCP. He said a post-referendum reckoning was needed, but no party decision on future action has been reported. Notley called on Premier Danielle Smith to remove from the UCP caucus or cabinet members who would not commit to keeping Alberta in Canada.