Alberta's decisive decision to stay in Canada gives Carney backing to take on Trump

"Vote like Canada depends on it," Prime Minister Mark Carney declared to cheering crowds in Calgary last week on a stage emblazoned with bright red and white "Forever Canadian" banners.

It's a message that appears to have struck a chord with the electorate, as preliminary results show more than two-thirds of Alberta voters said they want to remain a part of Canada.

But the future of the federation does still rest on its richest province.

Alberta, with most of Canada's proven oil reserves and abundant gas and mineral wealth, is playing a pivotal role in Ottawa's drive to survive a punishing trade war with the US by diversifying trade, strengthening its economy, and forging new alliances on the other side of the world.

Carney, the former central banker who grew up in Alberta, is now Canada's builder-in-chief – at home, and beyond its borders.

Albertans' overwhelming "yes" to stay in Canada gives him political bricks and mortar, too.

Source: BBC News World RSS (Open Press / Translated Full Text)