Alberta is an essential part of the country, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Friday, as he pressed the case for making Canada better by working together rather than breaking it up. He extended an olive branch to Alberta by comparing the country to the Parliament buildings, which are currently under renovation for improvements. Carney made the comments a day after Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced a separation referendum in October. Albertans will be asked whether they want Alberta to remain in Canada, or instead, if they want to start the legal process to hold a binding, second referendum on separation. Ms. Smith’s announcement triggers a five-month campaign before the Oct. 19 vote. Mr. Carney pointed to negotiations with Alberta that led to a new agreement on climate policies and a new pipeline to the West Coast, as a concrete example of Alberta making gains within Canada #AbPoli #CdnPoli #Alberta