Alberta rejects a move toward independence from Canada in a victory for Carney

EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) – Voters in oil-rich Alberta province overwhelmingly backed remaining in Canada, with referendum results Tuesday delivering a boost to Prime Minister Mark Carney's push for national unity against the backdrop of U.S.

What happened

While 25% backed beginning a process toward separation, according to unofficial results from Elections Alberta, with more than 1.8 million votes counted so far in 81% of areas and locations, 75% of voters backed remaining in Canada.

For context, the referendum wasn't a direct vote on independence, but approval would have set Alberta on a path toward a future vote on separation from Canada.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday before a Cabinet session in Ottawa, Carney observed that the roughly one-quarter of Albertans who backed beginning the separation process voted for another referendum, not independence itself.

The bottom line

In short, alberta rejects a move toward independence from Canada in a victory for is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.