Pierre Poilievre says he and the federal Conservative Party will actively campaign to keep Alberta within Canada if a provincial referendum on separation moves forward later this year.
Speaking during a media appearance in North Vancouver, Poilievre described himself as a “strong Canadian federalist” and pledged to travel across Alberta encouraging residents to remain part of what he called the “Canadian family.” He emphasized that all Conservative MPs from Alberta would join efforts to promote national unity and oppose separation.
The comments come as political tensions continue to rise in Alberta following growing pressure on Premier Danielle Smith from separatist groups seeking a referendum on independence. Separatist organizers claim they have collected enough signatures to force a vote, although a recent Alberta court ruling temporarily halted the petition process, citing concerns that First Nations had not been adequately consulted.
Smith, who has repeatedly described herself as a supporter of a “sovereign Alberta within a united Canada,” is facing mounting pressure from hardline separatists within her political base to ensure some form of referendum question appears before voters this fall.
Poilievre acknowledged frustrations in Alberta regarding federal energy policies and argued that Ottawa must address concerns surrounding the oil and gas sector if national unity is to be preserved. He said Alberta deserves a fair deal from the federal government, including fewer restrictions on natural resource development and expanded pipeline infrastructure to help export Canadian energy to global markets.
Former Alberta premier Jason Kenney also weighed into the debate, publicly encouraging Poilievre to take a stronger leadership role in defending Canadian unity. Kenney praised Poilievre’s patriotism and suggested he could emerge as a leading national voice against Alberta separation if the referendum debate intensifies.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mark Carney has also sought to calm separatist sentiment by promoting new agreements with Alberta on energy and economic development. Carney recently signalled support for expanding energy infrastructure and fast-tracking major resource projects, arguing that Canada must strengthen its energy sector amid growing global supply concerns.
Despite welcoming some of Alberta’s recent agreements with Ottawa, Poilievre criticized Carney for maintaining several Liberal-era environmental and energy regulations, including Bill C-69 and the northern British Columbia tanker ban, which Conservatives argue continue to hinder Canadian resource development.
The growing political divide over Alberta’s future is expected to dominate provincial and national political discussions in the months ahead as separatist pressure, constitutional questions, and energy policy debates continue to intensify across the country.