Alberta overwhelmingly votes to remain part of Canada: What does it mean for PM Mark Carney and his feud with Trump?

Voters in Alberta province of Canada decisively rejected a proposal to begin the process of separation, marking a victory for national unity and the federal government. More than 75 percent of voters chose to remain in Canada, while the remaining backed the ambition of the province's independence, according to data from Elections Alberta.

But the secession vote was not the first of its kind to be held in Canada and echoes a similar referendum held in Quebec province a few decades ago.

The two referendums in Quebec

Much before the vote in Alberta, Quebec held two separation referendums, in 1980 and 1995, both of which were defeated by narrow margins. The first referendum was held in May 1980, with 60 percent of residents voting against independence and the remaining 40 percent voting for it.

But perhaps the most significant moment in the majority French-speaking province's separatist movement came in 1995, when a rise in French Canadian nationalism and anguish over the Constitution Act of 1982 led to a second referendum on separation in October of that year.

That vote saw intense campaigning from both sides and the involvement of prominent figures, leading to a huge voter turnout of 93.5 percent.

An extremely close call

The referendum resulted in a paper-thin defeat for the separatist movement, with 50.58 percent voting against the plan, marking a margin of less than 1 percent. But that event highlighted deep divisions within Quebec society, especially concerning linguistic and ethnic identities.

The aftermath of the vote saw the leader of the separatist movement step down and the Canadian federal government taking steps to recognize Quebec's unique status.

Alberta: A key victory for Carney

Supporters of the separatist movement in oil-rich Alberta have campaigned for independence for months, arguing that the province's energy wealth was subsidizing poorer parts of Canada and that it would be far richer once freed from Canada. But the province has overwhelmingly voted to remain part of Canada in its first-ever referendum on independence.

Canadian prime minister Mark Carney, who grew up in Alberta's capital city Edmonton, hailed the result. "Albertans made a clear choice. They chose unity, to build together, and to take care of each other. Above all, Albertans chose Canada," Carney said.

The result marks a much-needed win for PM Carney as he battles a harsh trade war with the United States and other threats from President Donald Trump.

Trump has time and again threatened to turn the whole of Canada into the US’ latest and 51st state.

The result of the Alberta vote also boost Carney’s goals of diversifying trade, strengthening the country’s economy, and stitching up new alliances away from its southern neighbor led by a hostile president.

Carney – a former central banker and a relative newcomer to politics – is being credited with uniting Canada and bolstering its position on the world stage in the face of American pressures.