Political leaders of all stripes are lauding the victory of the remain-in-Canada campaign in Monday’s vote, calling it a decision for a stronger Alberta. “I’m very pleased to see the initial results from Elections Alberta,” Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said in a statement posted to social media. “Albertans have voted for a stronger Alberta in a united Canada.” According to unofficial results at 7:30 a.m., almost 1.4 million Albertans had voted to stay a part of Canada while more than 440,000 decided to pursue a further referendum. Elections Alberta said those results are based on 80 per cent voting areas/locations reporting. The official count is expected on Oct. 29. More reaction to the results Other Alberta leaders called the victory much more meaningful for Canada and Canadians. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre said the result proved that Canada is worth fighting for. “Alberta’s residents voted overwhelmingly in favour of a stronger Alberta within a united Canada,” he said. “We must now focus on concrete results in the lives of Canadians: affordable grocery baskets and housing, safe streets, strong borders and reduced immigration.” ‘A clear choice’ Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Albertans “made a clear choice” on Oct. 19. “While votes on all questions continue to be tallied, tonight’s results on the defining question of separation mean that Albertans and all Canadians will move forward together with renewed purpose and high ambition,” he wrote. “We are building that future, bigger and faster than ever before.” Smith is expected to share further comments on the referendum result during a province-wide broadcast at 6:45 p.m. MT.
