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Carney campaigns for Canadian unity before Alberta secession vote

Alberta votes on whether it wants a binding independence referendum, and polling shows how divided the oil-rich province is; so, a referendum on a referendum.

On air: Vera Bullock on The Five O'Clock
Published 5:56 PM ET, Thursday, October 15, 2026

At a glance

First reported by Japan Today: “Carney campaigns for Canadian unity before Alberta secession vote”.
Covered on BBN on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at 5:56 PM ET on The Five O'Clock, by Vera Bullock.
Topics: Canadian.
BBN covered this story before: Joni Mitchell becomes a U.S. citizen at 82, keeps Canadian citizenship (October 14).

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

Japan TodayCarney campaigns for Canadian unity before Alberta secession vote

What BBN said about it

Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorPrime Minister Mark Carney campaigned for national unity in Alberta on Thursday, ahead of a vote on whether the oil-rich province wants a binding independence referendum.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorSo it's a vote about whether to hold a vote, which is the most optimistic way I have ever seen anyone break up.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorWith us is Yolanda Brisbois, who runs a gas station and pie shop in Red Deer. Yolanda, how's the mood?
Yolanda BrisboisBusy, mostly. I'm neutral, Vera, I sell pies to everybody.
Yolanda BrisboisThough I did stop stocking the pies shaped like the other side's province, and that's just inventory.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorNeutral, but with inventory. And what's that stack of boxes you keep patting?
Yolanda BrisboisPie boxes. Blank ones.
Yolanda BrisboisI'm neutral, so I haven't printed anything yet, but I did order a very large flag sticker sheet, and I'm not saying which flag.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorWhich flag?
Yolanda BrisboisNeutral, Vera.
Yolanda BrisboisI ordered stickers for three of them, because nobody in Ottawa or Edmonton has told me what country I'll be selling pies in by Christmas.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorThree flags! That's not indecision, that's a growth opportunity. You are the only person in this whole fight with an actual plan.
Yolanda BrisboisIt's not a plan, it's a gas station. Politicians get to change their minds for free, and I pay for cardboard by the pallet.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorFair. So what do you want the prime minister and the premier to hear from a woman with a pie warmer?
Yolanda BrisboisDecide something.
Yolanda BrisboisI'm neutral, I'm patient, and I have been holding a very expensive sticker sheet in the freezer since Tuesday, next to the butter tarts.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorIn the freezer?
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorYolanda, you prepared for every outcome and nobody else did. That might be the most hopeful thing I've heard all day.
Yolanda BrisboisThank you, but the boxes are nonrefundable, so I'm not hopeful, I'm committed.