Carney Pushes Back at Musk’s Separatist Call, Says Canadians Will Decide Country’s Future

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has pushed back against billionaire Elon Musk’s call for Quebec, Alberta and Saskatchewan to separate from Canada, asserting that the country’s future would be determined by its people without interference from foreign governments or major technology companies.

“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. Carney emphasised that Canadians should be free to preserve their languages and cultures, criticising external interference in the country’s political affairs.

Musk weighed into Canada’s separatist debate on Wednesday following the victory of the Parti Québécois (PQ) in Quebec’s provincial election. The party, led by premier-designate Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, has advocated independence for the predominantly French-speaking province.

“Good. Quebec should separate,” Musk wrote on his social media platform X, adding that Alberta and Saskatchewan should also leave Canada. However, the PQ’s electoral victory did not constitute a mandate for independence. The party secured approximately 28 per cent of the popular vote and fell short of a majority in the provincial legislature.

Support for Quebec independence remains around 30 per cent, according to Daniel Béland, a political science professor at McGill University. He said the election was driven more by voters’ desire to remove the Coalition Avenir Québec government than by support for separation.

Meanwhile, Alberta is scheduled to vote on October 19 on whether the province should remain in Canada or move towards a future referendum on independence. Premier Danielle Smith has said she will vote to remain in the country. Smith said separatist sentiment had weakened as her government and Carney’s administration worked together to address provincial 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 in Edmonton. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe also rejected Musk’s suggestion, responding with a brief “No” on X. Musk, a South African-born Canadian-American, is the world’s richest man, according to the report.