Sherbrooke, Quebec – In a brief press briefing Thursday, Prime Minister Mark Carney emphasized that the destiny of Canada rests with its citizens, not with foreign tech moguls. Carney said, “The future of Canada will be decided by Canadians and the priorities of the people of Quebec.” He added that Canadians should be free to live according to their languages and cultures without interference from foreign governments or large technology firms.
Elon Musk’s controversial post
Elon Musk, the world’s richest man and a Canadian‑American entrepreneur, weighed in on the ongoing separatist debate on his X platform on Wednesday. In a short message, Musk wrote, “Good. Quebec should separate. They would be better off. Alberta and Saskatchewan should separate too.” The post referenced the recent provincial election in Quebec, where the Parti Québécois – a party that supports Quebec sovereignty – won the most seats but fell short of a legislative majority.
Election results and public sentiment
The PQ secured about 28% of the popular vote, a modest showing that does not constitute a mandate for independence. Daniel Béland, a political‑science professor at McGill University, noted that support for Quebec independence hovers around 30% and that the election was driven more by a desire to unseat the Coalition Avenir Québec government than by a push for separation.
Provincial leaders respond
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who has pledged to keep the province within Canada, said the separatist sentiment in her province has weakened as her government and Carney’s have worked to address Albertans’ concerns. “The federal government has changed. Their approach to us has changed and they’re willing to work together on addressing those issues,” Smith told reporters in Edmonton.
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe responded to Musk’s post with a single word on X: “No.”
Upcoming vote in Alberta
Alberta is scheduled to hold a province‑wide vote on October 19 to determine whether the province will remain in Canada or move toward a future referendum on separation. The vote will be closely watched as a barometer of separatist sentiment in the western provinces.
Context and implications
While Musk’s comments have drawn attention, Canadian officials stress that any move toward separation would require clear democratic mandates and constitutional processes. Carney’s remarks underscore a commitment to national unity grounded in the principle that Canadians themselves decide their future, free from external pressure.
Observers note that the discussion reflects broader concerns about foreign influence in domestic politics, especially from large technology platforms that can shape public discourse. The federal government has signaled a willingness to engage with provinces to address economic and cultural concerns, aiming to preserve the federation’s cohesion.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
