Mark Carney Considers Alberta Immigration Deal After Referendum

Prime Minister Mark Carney has declined to rule out granting Alberta more authority over economic immigration, potentially mirroring a 1991 agreement that allows Quebec to set its own targets. This consideration follows an Alberta referendum where approximately 76 percent of voters chose to remain in Canada, though a slim majority of 53 percent supported gaining provincial control to reduce newcomer numbers to sustainable levels.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is preparing a proposal based on the Canada-Quebec accord. Simultaneously, Smith issued a directive banning separatists from running as candidates for the United Conservative Party, stating the party is not an independence party and must avoid internal division. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe praised Carney's shift toward co-operative federalism but warned that the 24 percent who voted against remaining in Canada signal regional grievances that must be addressed.

While Carney asserts the federal government has retaken control of immigration—reducing permanent resident targets to 385,000 this year and 370,000 for 2027 and 2028—Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre criticized the administration as out of touch. Poilievre argued that immigration is totally out of control and that provinces require more authority because they provide the essential services for newcomers.