Prime Minister Mark Carney wraps pro-Canada tour in Edmonton with thousands at Expo Centre rally

Prime Minister Mark Carney closed a two-day pro-Canada campaign tour across Alberta with a Friday-night rally at Edmonton's Expo Centre, where thousands of supporters filled bleachers, waved Canadian flags, and sang national songs in a party-like atmosphere.

Carney, who grew up in Edmonton and attended St. Francis Xavier Catholic High School, opened by anchoring his message to home. "Alberta's my home. I grew up here. This city, this province, this country, have given me everything — my family, my education and my values," he told the crowd. He later struck a more ominous note, telling supporters: "There are some outside our borders who are working to break us so they can own us. Never." He also warned that "a vote against Canada is a dangerous bluff that will lead to years of deep uncertainty and lost opportunities for Albertans and Canadians."

The rally occurred three days before Monday's referendum, which asks whether Alberta should hold a binding vote on leaving Confederation. Earlier Friday, Carney attended an event at Red Hart Brewing in Red Deer with Premier Danielle Smith, where he tapped a keg and sang O Canada with about 50 people inside and roughly 100 supporters gathered outside. Smith told the group: "For the first time in a long time, Alberta and Canada are walking together." Both praised each other as "sharp-eyed, flinty negotiators."

At the Edmonton rally, Carney met with supporters, posed for selfies, and shook hands throughout the evening. One person shouted at him during remarks about military service; Carney responded by asking for respect toward Canadian armed forces members. Smith's referendum ballot contains 10 questions total: the separation question plus nine others on immigration, federal program opt-outs, Senate abolition, and provincial judicial appointments. The tour also featured Carney in Calgary the day earlier with a similar message. HighOnCity reported in July that Carney returned to Edmonton for Canada Day to deliver a message about national unity.