Prime Minister Mark Carney has called for national unity in his Thanksgiving message, one week before Alberta votes on a proposal to begin a process that could lead to secession from Canada.
"We can't build big things on fault lines," Carney said in a video message on Monday, warning that Canada faces threats to its economy, security and way of life. "We have to be strong, and we are stronger together."
Albertans head to the polls on October 19 for an initial non-binding referendum. The question asks: "Should Alberta remain a province of Canada, or should the Government of Alberta commence the legal process required under the Canadian Constitution to hold a binding provincial referendum on whether or not Alberta should separate from Canada?" A binding vote would follow at a later stage.
The vote follows a growing push by separatists, fuelled by long-standing grievances over federal energy and environmental policies. The movement accuses the Canadian government of unfairly targeting Alberta's oil and gas industry, the cornerstone of the province's economy.
The result is being watched south of the border, as Canada's relationship with the United States under President Donald Trump has become strained. The Globe and Mail reported this month that US Republican operatives met with secession organisers in Alberta to discuss campaign strategies. Separatist leaders had reportedly offered access to the province's water and oil royalties in exchange for US support for independence, claims the leaders dispute.
Carney's appeal also comes after the secessionist Parti Quebecois won the most seats in Quebec's provincial election last week, taking 59 of 129 seats, short of a majority, and returning to power for the first time in over a decade. US tech entrepreneur Elon Musk applauded the results.