Carney Rallies Calgary Voters to Reject Alberta Referendum Questions Prime Minister Mark Carney rallied pro-Canada voters in Calgary ahead of Monday's Alberta referendum, urging a yes vote to stay in Canada and a no vote on nine other questions. The Forever Canadian rally drew thousands and featured personal appeals about immigration and unity. Prime Minister Mark Carney rallied thousands of pro-Canada supporters in Calgary on Thursday night, urging Albertans to vote to stay in Canada and reject nine other referendum questions. The Forever Canadian rally at the BMO Centre was part of a final push before Monday's vote. The event started at 6:45 p.m. MT but was delayed as hundreds of attendees waited to pass through security. Carney told the cheering crowd that the referendum is not a game of poker. A vote against Canada is a dangerous bluff that will lead to years of deep uncertainty and lost opportunities for Albertans and for Canadians, he said.He also urged voters to say no to the nine other questions on the ballot involving immigration and the Constitution. Earlier in the day, Carney toured Calgary, taking selfies and shaking hands at a northeast restaurant. Many people wore small red and white Canadian flags in their shirt pockets. When one woman said the flag was for him, Carney replied that it was for everyone and for Canada.At a Calgary park, Carney joined dozens of people, many dressed in Maple Leaf red, and urged them to reject Premier Danielle Smith's nine ballot questions. Two of his Liberal MPs from Alberta, Eleanor Olszewski and Corey Hogan, stood beside him. At the University of Calgary student hall food court, Carney was swarmed from the moment he arrived. Some waved small Canadian flags, and a poster said Just No. Vote No. Vote Remain.Alberta Referendum Questions And ImmigrationRCMP and security officials pushed back against the crowd while Carney smiled, posed for photos and autographed Canadian flags. The nine questions focus on giving Alberta more power over immigration while also erecting restrictions, and perhaps fees, for some newcomers and temporary workers who want to access health care, education and other social services. Smith has said immigration costs are prohibitively expensive, but critics have called her questions an anti-immigrant dog whistle.The other questions ask Albertans to give their blessing for the government to work with other provinces to change the Constitution in order to wrest power from Ottawa and abolish the Senate. Smith's government committed $4 million to an advertising campaign pushing voters to support the nine questions and a strong and sovereign Alberta within a united Canada. The Prime Minister's Office said it is spending about $250,000 on its O Canada ad campaign.At the rally, Calgary Chamber of Commerce director Deborah Yedlin, the event's MC, evoked her family immigrating to Canada after the Holocaust when telling the audience, Don't take my country away from me or anyone else. She said the results of Monday's vote are a resounding yes for Alberta remaining in Canada. Former CFL player Jon Cornish evoked Stampede pancakes, sports and the classic I am Canadian commercial as he addressed the crowd.He said Canada doesn't always work for everyone, like when he's experienced racism. But the retired player said now is the time to build Canada so everyone gets the chance they deserve. He also said kindness isn't softness, it's strength. Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas spoke of his dad's refugee routes that would one day lead him to be the mayor of one of Canada's biggest cities.Speakers Support Staying In CanadaHe also called out Premier Danielle Smith over recent policies that impact 2SLGBTQ people, saying everyone is welcome in this country. Farkas shared how his dad immigrated to Canada from Hungary, affording him the opportunity to serve as the city's first openly queer mayor. Former Alberta deputy premier Thomas Lukaszuk took the stage to big cheers. While there isn't an official leader of the federalist side, he's as close as it gets.He told a story he often tells, about how his faint Polish accent marks him as an immigrant and how Canada gave his family opportunities they never dreamed of. He said we must deliver a very strong message to the world that Canada cannot be divided. Carney's speech was briefly paused when a medical emergency occurred in the crowd.Police officers waded into the crowd, and the crowd started chanting Carney's name, which he pretended to hear as Canada and redirected them. Someone yelled a question about Nico. Carney said he's home alone and has put on weight.Then clarified that Nico is his cat. He clarified that the person had received assistance and then got back to his speech. The crowd was jovial but there were loud boos when Carney mentioned those outside our borders who would break us. Carney directly addressed those who would vote to go ahead with a referendum to send a message to Ottawa.He said our country and your futures are too precious to play games. Smith, also in Calgary on Thursday, was scheduled at the same time to headline a United Conservative Party fundraiser. She posted a video announcing she cast an advance ballot to stay in Canada and urged Albertans to vote yes to the other nine questions.Smith And Carney Political PositionsShe has said a yes for Canada and a yes vote to the other nine questions gives her the leverage she needs to fight for a strong Alberta within a united Canada. Smith responded to Carney's comments in a social media post Thursday, saying they have found common ground on many things over the last 18 months.However, she wrote that it appears he has yet to fully understand just how damaging the open border policies of his predecessor were. She said those policies caused Canada's cost of living to skyrocket, overwhelmed social services, and made homes and jobs unattainable for thousands of young Canadians.She said that is why she wants a strong mandate from the nine questions to take more provincial control over immigration, give Albertans first priority for jobs and ensure their social services are sustainable. On Friday, the prime minister is slated to attend a similar rally in Edmonton, as well as meet with business leaders in Red Deer. The premier's office said Smith would also be at the event with Carney.Upcoming Events And Poilievre AppearanceShe is also to speak Friday in Calgary alongside other conservative heavyweights, including federal Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre. Poilievre and Smith are both expected to speak on Canadian unity at a separate event tomorrow. The premier has kept a comparatively low profile in the last week.