Carney to bring his pro-Canada campaign to Edmonton with referendum just days away
Prime Minister Mark Carney continues his pro-Canada campaign in Alberta as the clock ticks down to a referendum on whether the province should break up with Confederation.
He is set to visit Red Deer with Premier Danielle Smith today and later rally in Edmonton with the federalist group Forever Canadian.
Carney spoke Thursday at one of the group's rallies in Calgary, telling the crowd of roughly 5,000 that a vote against Canada is a dangerous bluff that could lead to years of lost opportunities.
He says frustrations in Alberta are real but that Canada is working in the spirit of co-operative federalism.
Smith has put 10 questions on Monday's referendum, including one on whether Alberta should stay in Canada or hold a second, binding vote on leaving.
Meanwhile, Smith and federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre will both speak at a conference in Calgary about keeping Alberta in the Confederation fold.
With voters just days away from the polls, those who attended Thursday's rally said Albertans in favour of separation have valid concerns, but Canada is worth fighting for.
"We've got everything we need here and we're stronger together than we are apart," said Bill Chan, who lives in Calgary.
Chan said he heard from Carney's remarks a more "conciliatory" tone in how Ottawa would treat provinces and territories going forward, notably Alberta.
He also said parts of the prime minister's speech hit home.
"What he said about Canada being a country that was built historically by people banding together really stuck out for me," Chan said.
"Because if history is any guide, going separate ways has never proven to be as strong and as impactful as doing things together."
Carney told those gathered that the referendum comes at the worst possible time.
The world has grown more dangerous and divided, he said, and some outside Canada's borders were working to "break us so they can own us."
"At this pivotal moment, Albertans have a choice: to build a stronger Alberta and an even greater Canada to leave for our children or we can burden them with years of deep division and great uncertainty," he said.
"What we need is a decisive result on Monday to settle this question."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 16, 2026.
— With files from Dayne Patterson in Calgary
Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
Canada must diversify trade away from the U.S. for security reasons: Freeland
Former deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland says it's important for national security reasons that Canada do everything it can to diversify trade away from the United States.
During a discussion at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York on Thursday, Freeland said it's dangerous to deepen or maintain a close economic relationship with a partner who "openly says they want to take you over."
U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly mused about turning Canada into the 51st state and, while he ruled out using military force to annex the country in January 2025, has said he would consider using "economic force."
Even if the U.S. had a president who believed in free trade with Canada, Freeland says being dependent on any one partner is "not a great idea."
Freeland's new book, “Unreliable Boyfriend,” was released this week and is part international analysis about the evolving role of the United States and part political memoir.
Its title is a reference to a comment she made on an American talk show in February, when she said the U.S. is "not a very reliable boyfriend right now."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 15, 2026.
By Catherine Morrison | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
This little village in Ontario has twinkling train rides and pumpkin-filled streets
Be sure to visit after dark. 🎃
If you're looking for a fall outing that feels like stepping into a Halloween storybook, there's a little village in Ontario that offers glowing pumpkins, historic streets and magical autumn nights that needs to be on your radar.
Just over an hour from Ottawa, you can visit an enchanting outdoor experience where handcrafted illuminated pumpkins and large-than-life creations transform the night.
Set in the Upper Canada Village in Morrisburg, Pumpkinferno is a classic Halloween tradition that brings thousands of illuminated pumpkins to life after dark.
The Upper Canada Village is one of Canada’s largest and most immersive living-history destinations, home to more than 40 carefully preserved and reconstructed buildings, where you can step into the past and see what daily life looked like in a rural English Canadian community.
Come October, the historic village transforms into a spectacular display of more than 7,000 jack-o'-lanterns for the popular Pumpkinferno, becoming a glowing wonderland with creative pumpkin sculptures, themed displays and plenty of spooky-season fun.
Instead of traditional rows of carved pumpkins, the outdoor event features thousands of pumpkins arranged into intricate illuminated displays.
The pumpkins you’ll see at PumpkInferno aren't your average jack-o’-lanterns – they’re actually hand-carved artificial pumpkins, each moulded into the shape of a spooky face or scene.
As you make your way through the historic village, you'll encounter colourful installations and creative scenes that range from whimsical to wonderfully eerie.
The displays are designed to be enjoyed after dark, when the glowing pumpkins stand out against the night sky and the village's historic buildings add to the atmosphere.
The pumpkin displays also change every year -- this year's Pumpkinferno features several new exhibits, including a "Village Grand Prix," a sweet, candy-filled wonderland, and a world of larger-than-life jungle creatures.
The experience takes about 1 hour to complete, though visitors are welcome to spend as much time as they like admiring the pumpkin creations.
Along the way, you'll be able to experience the village's interactive zone, where you can snap some photos, play some games, and soak up the Pumpkinferno magic.
You can even hop on board a life-sized, brightly lit toy train for a short ride through the village that even includes a photo stop.
The night will also include a sound and light show as hundreds of colourful lights dance in sync with Ladies of the 80’s tunes, creating a magical scene that you can't help but dance and sing along to.
If you work up an appetite, you can stop at Willard’s Hotel, the Harvest Barn, the on-site BeaverTails, the Village Café or Cauldron Corner for classic fall treats, bites and warm drinks.
Be sure to bring your camera, as the glowing installations provide plenty of opportunities for festive photos. Just remember to dress for the weather, since you'll be spending much of your visit outdoors and the event takes place during rain or shine.
Pumpkinferno runs on select nights until October 31, 2026, with different opening times depending on the date. General admission costs $23 plus tax for adults, $22 for seniors and $21 for students and children aged five to 18. Admission is free for children aged four and under.
Whether you're going for the glowing pumpkin sculptures, the twinkling train ride or just want to embrace spooky season, this historic Ontario village offers a fall outing that's full of charm (and pumpkins).
Pumpkinferno
Price: $23 per adult
When: Select nights until October 31, 2026
Address: 13740 County Rd 2, Morrisburg, ON
Why You Need To Go: You can visit an incredible outdoor attraction at this historic village near Ottawa with thousands of glowing pumpkins and large-than-life structures that's like something out of a Halloween storybook.

Cette friperie ultra tendance à Montréal te permet d'échanger ta garde-robe à petit prix
Quand l'abonnement à l'année te coûte moins cher qu'un pantalon du Aritzia! 🤑
Tu manques d'inspiration lorsque vient le temps de choisir tes vêtements le matin? Cette friperie nouveau genre pourrait bien être la solution à ce problème récurrent. Avec trois locations sur l'île de Montréal, les boutiques Le Shwap Club allient aisément, morceaux de qualité et écoresponsabilité. Ça peut être une bonne idée d'y faire un tour pour économiser de l'argent tout en comblant tes envies de fashionista.
Eh oui, basée sur un concept ingénieux de troc, cette entreprise te permet d'échanger les vêtements qui ne te plaisent plus pour de nouveaux. Tu peux donc obtenir une garde-robe presque à l'infini pour moins de 120 $! Bonus? Tu encourages la mode responsable en offrant à tes vêtements une seconde vie. C'est la définition même de rendre l'utile à l'agréable.
Le concept est simple. Tu sélectionnes préalablement des morceaux que tu souhaites donner pour les apporter au « Shwap ». Tu devras ensuite payer des frais d'entrée de 18 $ ou de 10 $ si tu es accompagné.e d'une personne membre. L'équipe se chargera, par la suite, de faire le tri dans tes vêtements. Un abonnement annuel à 115 $ est aussi disponible si tu trippes sur le principe et que tu comptes y aller plusieurs fois pour faire du troc.
Pour chaque pièce sélectionnée, que ce soit un short, un manteau, une écharpe, tu reçois un crédit que tu pourras ensuite échanger, « Shwapper », pour un autre item en magasin. Chaque morceau vaut un crédit que ce soit une robe Aritzia, un chandail du H&M ou une paire de chaussures de L'Intervalle. Tu as bien compris, tu peux donc aisément échanger un pull de chez Zara contre un manteau Frank and Oak par exemple.
Attention, l'équipe du Shwap Club ne prend pas n'importe quoi et est très sélective quand vient le temps d'inspecter et de choisir les morceaux qui entreront dans l'inventaire de la boutique.
Ainsi, les vêtements salis ou qui possèdent des défauts (trou, taches aux aisselles, fermeture éclair défaillante, bouton manquant, etc.) te seront remis. Même chose pour les pièces qui ne correspondent pas à la saison recherchée ou qui auraient un prix original de moins de 25 $. Certains styles plus populaires et aimés de la clientèle seront aussi privilégiés.
Le Shwap Club détient deux locaux sur l'île de Montréal soit l'un dans Saint-Henri et l'autre dans le Mile-Ex. Notons qu'un petit nouveau s'est ajouté en 2022 à Verdun, Le Petit Shwap Club, qui permet d'échanger des vêtements pour bébé.
Le Shwap Club
Coût : 115 $ pour un abonnement d'un an, 18 $ pour une entrée sans abonnement et 10 $ pour une entrée accompagné.e d'un.e membre.
Adresse : 4710, rue Saint-Ambroise #265, Montréal QC (Saint-Henri); 6682, rue Jeanne-Mance, Montréal, QC (Mile-Ex); 5025, rue Wellington, Verdun, QC (Le Petit Shwap Club)
Accessibilité : Accessible aux fauteuils roulants et aux poussettes
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