Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has rejected Elon Musk’s call for Quebec, Alberta and Saskatchewan to separate from Canada, saying the country’s future is for Canadians to determine.
“The future of Canada will be decided by Canadians and the priorities of Canadians, the priorities of the people of Quebec,” Carney said on Thursday when asked about Musk’s remarks. He said Canadians should be able to live according to their languages and cultures without interference “from foreign governments and large tech firms that think they can tell us what to do.”
Musk made the comments on X on Wednesday, October 7, in response to a post about Quebec premier-designate Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, whose separatist Parti Québécois won Monday’s provincial election. “Good. Quebec should separate,” Musk wrote, adding: “They would be better off. Alberta and Saskatchewan should separate too.” The Parti Québécois secured about 28 per cent of the popular vote but fell short of a legislative majority.
Daniel Béland, a political science professor at McGill University, said the result did not constitute a mandate for independence. He said support for separation remained at about 30 per cent and that the election reflected a desire to remove the Coalition Avenir Québec government rather than support for leaving Canada.
Alberta is scheduled to vote on October 19 on whether to remain in Canada or move towards a future referendum on separation. Premier Danielle Smith has said she will vote to remain. Speaking in Edmonton on Thursday, October 8, Smith said separatist sentiment had weakened as her government and Carney’s administration worked to address the province’s concerns.
“The federal government has changed. Their approach to us has changed and they’re willing to work together on addressing those issues,” she said. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe responded to Musk’s proposal on X with a single word: “No.” Musk was born in South Africa and holds Canadian and American citizenship.