Canadian province rejects separatist referendum but government still seeks increased powers

While Albertans roundly rejected separation in Monday’s referendum, results were decidedly closer in early returns on nine other questions. Premier Danielle Smith also polled Albertans on five questions on immigration and four about seeking a mandate to work with other provinces to change the Constitution and wrest more power from Ottawa. [ . . . ] The constitutional questions asked Albertans for a blessing to pursue talks with other provinces on gaining control from Ottawa and abolishing the Senate. Smith said those issues are pressing. Critics have called them posturing. Smith said she voted to stay in Canada but needed a yes to the nine questions to get a mandate to bargain with Prime Minister Mark Carney. Her government commissioned a $4-million advertising campaign urging Albertans vote yes to the nine.
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