'They chose Canada': Alberta rejects separation bid in win for Carney

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney attends a national unity rally in Red Deer, Alberta, alongside, from left, Monte Solberg, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, and former Premier Ed Stelmach. Voters in Canada's oil-rich Alberta province have overwhelmingly rejected a move towards independence. They delivered a boost to Prime Minister Mark Carney's push for national unity amid US President Donald Trump's trade war and threats to annex Canada.With more than 1.5 million votes counted, 76 per cent backed remaining in Canada, while nearly 24 per cent supported beginning the process towards separation, according to unofficial results from Elections Alberta on Tuesday. The referendum was not a direct vote on independence. Approval would have paved the way for a future vote on separation.“Albertans made a clear choice,” Carney said, “They chose unity, to build together, and to take care of each other. Above all, Albertans chose Canada,” news agency AFP reported.Carney said the result would allow the country to move forward together. He also called for faster efforts to diversify trade, develop major infrastructure projects and establish Canada as a global energy powerhouse, with Alberta at i...