Asked to fund remain groups, Carney says he and his ministers will be in Alberta

Sep 10, 2026Moment 6 of 7

Asked to fund remain groups, Carney says he and his ministers will be in Alberta

WHAT HAPPENED

Groups campaigning for Alberta to remain were struggling to raise money, The Globe and Mail reported. Vote to Stay, a remain group backed by former Conservative minister Monte Solberg, had raised $97,791 as of September 3, 2026. Let Alberta Decide, a pro-independence group led by lawyer Keith Wilson, had received nearly $485,000 since June 2026. Prime Minister Mark Carney was asked twice whether Ottawa would fund turnout campaigns for the remain side. He answered, 'I'll be here, ministers will be here, we'll be doing our jobs.' He added that Canada's system is 'not a money game.' The newspaper reported that provincial rules strictly limit Ottawa's spending before the vote. Shannon Phillips, a former Alberta NDP environment minister, said the risks were too high to be 'whistling past the graveyard.'

Why this matters

Carney's answer left turnout work to the campaigns themselves. The Globe and Mail reported that polls put supporters of separation in a motivated minority, which makes turnout matter to both sides.

Explore the claims

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Stated position Statement documented

Asked whether Ottawa would fund get-out-the-vote campaigns for remaining in Canada, Prime Minister Mark Carney pointed to federal presence and delivery instead. He was asked twice on September 10, 2026, and said the system is 'not a money game'. Provincial rules tightly restrict what Ottawa may spend in the campaign, The Globe and Mail reported.

What is Ottawa's role in a provincial vote on Canada? → Reported observation Supported by evidence

Voters who support separation were a minority in Alberta in consistent public opinion polling as of mid-September 2026, according to The Globe and Mail. The newspaper said turnout on October 19 could decide how close the result is. Drew Barnes, a former caucus member of the governing United Conservative Party, is one of the separation supporters the National Post interviewed. He said support had not waned but 'hasn't grown with the momentum it started with'.

If polls show most oppose leaving, why is the result still open? → See all 2 claims from this moment →