Albertans reject push for independence from Canada

Voters in oil-rich Alberta overwhelmingly rejected a push to bring the province one step closer to secession in a historic referendum.Why it matters: The result is a win for Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who has touted a united, energy-dominant Canada and sought to appeal to Albertans, who have expressed resentment over the nation's energy policies.The defeat is a setback for the vocal separatist movement, which reached new fervor during the pandemic, but it's highly unlikely the independence push will vanish.The big picture: Monday's vote was not a straight-forward yes or no on separating. Rather, it asked whether Alberta should remain part of Canada or start the legal process to hold another referendum on secession.76% of voters opted to stay in Canada, as of the latest official tallies early Tuesday, as polls leading up to the vote suggested they would.Friction point: Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced the separation vote in May to "understand the will" of Albertans "and move on."Smith, who has urged Albertans to vote to remain part of Canada, became a target of frustration from both sides.She said Albertans could still weigh in on the question after a court blocke…

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