Prime Minister Carney to attend 2 Forever Canadian rallies in Alberta ahead of Oct. 19 referendum

Carney was invited by Forever Canadian founder Thomas Lukaszuk

Prime Minister Mark Carney says he’s accepted an invitation to attend two Forever Canadian rallies in Alberta this week ahead of the Oct. 19 referendum.

Carney will make a stop in Calgary on Thursday and another in Edmonton Friday.

Albertans are set to vote on 10 questions for the referendum, addressing immigration and constitutional issues, and one on whether the province should stay in Canada or hold a binding referendum on separating.

Thomas Lukaszuk, the founder of the Forever Canadian campaign, extended the invitation to Carney in a social media post Monday. He said Carney’s decision to come to the rallies is a good sign for the movement.

“At the end of the day, Albertans would want to hear from him,” Lukaszuk said.

“I'm glad that he trusts the Forever Canadian movement as the flagship for the federal movement in Alberta and that he will share the stage with us.”

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Lukaszuk said he believes Carney has made an effort to address the concerns of Albertans.

“[Carney’s] message should resonate that federalism can work when we worked with each other, when we cooperate, when we negotiate,” he said.

“There are mechanisms to address some of the outstanding issues and there are some issues that need to be addressed."

Lukaszuk said that separatism "is not an answer to any of those concerns that have been highlighted by Albertans.”

The announcement comes after Carney made his Thanksgiving address to Albertans from his alma mater, St. Francis Xavier High School, in west Edmonton. In the video, he said Canada is facing threats to its economy but that in spite of them, the country is continuing to grow, and is "worth fighting for."

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“Generations of Albertans helped build this country,” Carney said. “It's yours, it's ours, and it's worth fighting for.”

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is expected to deliver his own message on Canadian unity in a separate event on Friday in Calgary. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is also expected to deliver an address at the same event.

With files from The Canadian Press