Prime Minister Mark Carney says he’s throwing his weight behind the campaign for Canadian unity after Alberta announced it was calling a referendum this fall on separation. 

Speaking to reporters in Ottawa on Monday, Carney said the federal government is reviewing and making sure that the referendum question complies with the Clarity Act, a law introduced following Quebec’s sovereignty referendums that requires any province seeking to leave Canada to pose a clear and unambiguous question. 

“Part of the campaign is not a campaign, but it’s actions,” Carney said. “It’s practicing cooperative federalism with Alberta, with Quebec, with all provinces and territories in the country, with Indigenous peoples as well.” 

This comes after Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s announcement on Thursday on her plans to put a question on her government’s fall referendum ballot that will ask Albertans if the province should remain in Canada or a future binding referendum on separation. 

“We’re in the process of doing our due diligence,” Carney said in reference to the Clarity Act, which the Parliament plans to review the question this week. 

Carney emphasized the economic benefits Alberta drives from being part of Canada, while warning that separation issues often advance as a vote with a promise to “strengthen” future negotiation. 

“That is a very dangerous bluff,” Carney said, citing what happened with Brexit as people continue to grapple with what they voted for 10 years later. 

When asked by a reporter if Carney tried to persuade Smith not to put forth a question of separation to Alberta voters, the prime minister said the core approach is “positive” as the feds commit to look at whether the question is consistent with the Clarity Act. 

“The premier doesn’t always take my advice,” he said. “There’re tremendous strengths that Canada brings to Alberta and Alberta brings to Canada — we are absolutely stronger together.” 

A reporter also questioned whether the recent agreement struck with Alberta was enough incentive to remain in the carbon pricing system long term, raising concerns the province could eventually walk away from the deal after securing a new pipeline project.

READ MORE: Ottawa-Alberta carbon price deal brings some market certainty but no climate guarantees 

In response, Carney defended the agreement by arguing that Canada’s existing carbon markets were effectively “broken,” with official carbon prices far higher than what credits were actually trading for in reality. 

He said the agreement is meant to stabilize the market through measures like a regulated floor price starting in 2030 and long-term contracts tied to clean energy and carbon capture projects. 

“That agreement includes building more conventional energy, it means developing a new industry of carbon capture,” he said.