Mark Carney

EDMONTON, Alberta — Voters in oil-rich Alberta province overwhelmingly backed remaining in Canada, with early referendum results delivering a boost to Prime Minister Carney’s push for national unity amid US President Trump’s trade war and annexation threats. With more than 1.8 million votes counted, 76% supported remaining in Canada, while 24% backed beginning a process toward separation. …Carney said that the result would allow Canadians to move forward together and accelerate efforts to diversify trade, develop major infrastructure projects and make Canada a global energy powerhouse, with Alberta at its center. …Alberta Premier Danielle Smith welcomed the early results, saying they showed widespread support for remaining in Canada. …Despite the proposal’s apparent failure, separatist leaders have said they turned a fringe cause into a movement that won’t disappear.