Prime Minister Carney meets Forever Canadian volunteers in Banff as October referendum looms

Prime Minister Mark Carney met with about 50 Forever Canadian campaign volunteers Friday at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, marking a limited show of federal support ahead of Alberta's October 19 referendum on remaining in Canada.

Carney wrote "Canada is everyone and for everyone" with a black marker on the campaign's pink recreational vehicle, but took no questions from reporters. On Thursday, he told reporters: "Canada is worth fighting for, and fighting for in this regard means showing up on the 19th or mailing in your ballot or participating in early voting."

Thomas Lukaszuk, the campaign's leader and former deputy premier of Alberta, praised Carney's presence but signalled expectations for deeper involvement. "Carney has been a 'calm' and 'reassuring' presence for Albertans," Lukaszuk said, noting that Carney is "showing 'there is someone at the helm' by standing up for Canadians in trade negotiations with the White House." Lukaszuk also suggested there will be "a stage in the campaign" when Carney becomes "much more personally engaged."

Carney has called for national unity but has not actively campaigned to convince Albertans to vote to stay in Canada, framing his primary role as delivering an economic agenda for Alberta and Canada. "I keep looking in the rear-view mirror of this RV. I don't see them," Lukaszuk said of Conservative MPs from Alberta, adding that "this is not a partisan issue and this is the time where all hands are on deck."

Emergency Management Minister Eleanor Olszewski said the federal government's role is supportive but not directive. "Our role with respect to this referendum certainly is not to tell Albertans how to do anything. It's not to tell Albertans how to vote. It is to make sure that we are a strong partner with Alberta," she said, while adding that she and colleagues "are absolutely" calling for Albertans to vote to remain in Canada. The federal cabinet held its meeting in Alberta this week and met with some of the province's mayors, though ministers did not outline any future campaign plans.