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QuickQuotes: Leaders react to Alberta referendum results to remain in Canada
QuickQuotes: Canadian leaders react to referendum
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Albertans voted overwhelmingly to stay in Canada on Monday in a historic referendum vote.
In early returns, about three in four Albertans said yes to Confederation, while about one in four said they wanted the province to hold a second, binding referendum on leaving.
The separation question was one of 10 put to Albertans. The other nine focused on immigration and the Constitution.
Here's what some Canadian leaders are saying.
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"Thank you, Alberta! I’m very pleased to see the initial results from Elections Alberta show widespread support for remaining in Canada. Albertans have voted for a stronger Alberta in a united Canada.
"Thank you to all Albertans who took time to vote on these critically important referendum questions."
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith
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"It's a great day for Canada … I'm thrilled that Albertans have chosen unity. They've chosen to build together. They've chosen to continue to take care of each other, to move forward together with purpose, high ambition.
"I'd like to thank all of the volunteers who supported the election, of course those who campaigned on all sides, the electoral volunteers who were still counting some of the votes, above all, Albertans for turning out in numbers, participating in the democratic process."
Prime Minister Mark Carney
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"At a time when our country is under threat and when we need to come together as Canadians, this result represents a clear rejection of the politics of division.
"Well over one million Albertans came together to give us something all too rare these days: a moment of hope.
"We know things are tough in Alberta, from health care to the cost of living, to the embattled education system and so much more … But as so many Albertans have shown us, we don't fix our problems by turning on each other."
NDP Leader Avi Lewis
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"Canada is stronger with Alberta as part of it, and last night’s results show the overwhelming majority of Albertans agree with this. Many Nova Scotians have strong ties to Alberta, either having worked there or with friends and family going to their province to help build up their industry.
"Here in Nova Scotia, we’ll keep doing our part to develop our own natural resources, create opportunities and contribute to a stronger Canada."
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 20, 2026.
Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
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Wainwright, Alta., residents grieving but resilient after tragic fire on army base
Army town remains stoic after military base fire
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov
Residents of a central Alberta town are grieving after a vicious fire killed four men and injured dozens more at a nearby military base, but living alongside soldiers preparing for battle has built up a deep stoicism and resilience in the community.
"It's heartbreaking. My heart goes out to the families but we'll bounce back," said Sharon Pashko, 79, whose uncle was once commander of CFB Wainwright.
Pashko said the community, about 200 kilometres southeast of Edmonton, takes care of its own and should be proud.
"We've gone above and beyond and I'm very proud of Wainwright residents," she added.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has been meeting with constituents in the town, which is in his Battle River-Crowfoot riding. He said while many unanswered questions remain, people are coping.
"I'm just amazed how resilient and strong the people are. Nobody's breaking. Everyone's just putting their head down and they're doing their jobs. It's the best of Canada," he said.
"They're obviously heartbroken. They see the loss of these brilliant young men in the springtimes of their lives but at the same time they bounce back and they keep working to support the living."
Wainwright Mayor Bruce Pugh said the base has always been a part of the community.
"It's a part of us and we're a part of it. It's a symbiotic relationship," he said.
Despite the temporary closure of the local polling station for Alberta's referendum, a steady stream of voters continued to cast ballots Monday.
"A couple of friends of mine from church are in the military and I've heard, last night, that they were actually both in Latvia right now,” Dustin Degenhardt said after voting.
“I'm grateful that they're safe, but at the same time I know hearts are here too.”
Degenhardt said the tragedy didn't affect how he voted and sees the two as separate issues. Other residents shared that view, while some said the shadow of the fire loomed over their decision.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 20, 2026.
By David Baxter and Bill Graveland | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
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Advance voting in B.C. election is down compared to 2024
Advance voting in B.C. down compared to 2024
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
The number of ballots cast in the first three days of advance voting in the British Columbia election is down about 8 per cent compared to 2024.
Elections BC says there were about 440,000 votes cast from Friday to Sunday, compared to almost 480,000 for the first three days of advance voting last election, which set a record for total advance turnout.
Early voting continues at hundreds of places across the province today and tomorrow until 8 p.m. ahead of final voting day on Saturday.
There were more than one million advance ballots cast in 2024, a surge of 49 per cent compared to the previous election, and a report by the chief electoral officer says the process has been steadily increasing in popularity for two decades.
The report says almost half of all votes in 2024 were cast in advance, compared to about 20 per cent as recently as 2013.
The ballots cast in advance so far for the current election represent about 12 per cent of all registered voters.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 20, 2026.
Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
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Mégane dit qu’elle aurait préféré ne pas s’inscrire à OD et explique pourquoi
« J’ai même enlevé mon OD officiel… »
Depuis son éviction au tout début de l'aventure d'Occupation Double Martinique, Mégane Lasalle reçoit plusieurs commentaires négatifs, et ce, au quotidien, selon ce qu'elle a expliqué à Narcity. Dans une séance de questions et réponses partagée en stories sur Instagram en ce début décembre, elle a d'ailleurs confié à sa communauté qu'elle aurait préféré ne pas s'inscrire à OD.
C'est après avoir mentionné à plusieurs reprises pendant son parcours qu'elle aimait les marques de luxe que plusieurs Québécois.es l'ont associée à une image qui ne plait pas à tous.tes.
En participant à cette téléréalité, elle n'a donc pas projeté ce qu'elle espérait et, lorsqu'un.e internaute lui a demandé si elle trouvait étrange que sa vie soit maintenant documentée publiquement, Mégane a expliqué qu'elle ne s'y fait pas encore :
« Pour être 100 % honnête, je ne m'adapte pas tant à ma nouvelle vie. Genre quand je dis "nouvelle vie", c'est tout ce qui est réseaux et tout. J'ai même enlevé mon OD officiel. Sincèrement, il y a tellement d'impact négatif après mon visuel à OD que ça ne m'impacte pas positivement, fait que je ne trippe pas tant, mettons. »
Un.e abonné.e lui a ensuite demandé si elle croyait que ça se passerait ainsi à sa sortie de la téléréalité. C'est à ce moment que l'ancienne candidate a avoué qu'elle n'aurait pas participé si elle avait su dans quoi elle s'embarquait :
« J'ai compris que ça allait être compliqué quand j'ai écouté les épisodes. Autant merdique, non. Que ça allait autant m'affecter, non pas une seconde. Avoir su que ça allait être de même, je ne me serais jamais inscrite, mais comme jamais. Je pense que ce qui m'écoeure le plus, c'est de voir à quel point que tout est stagé, mais tout. Puis ça, ça me traumatise littéralement. »
Malgré les mauvais souvenirs qu'elle garde de l'aventure, Mégane mentionne tout de même qu'elle est reconnaissante pour les amitiés qu'elle y a trouvées.
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