Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has pushed back against Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) CEO Elon Musk’s public support for separatist movements in Quebec, Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Carney responded Thursday in Quebec after Musk backed separation efforts involving the three provinces. Speaking with reporters, Carney said Quebec residents would determine their own priorities, alongside the government’s 43 members of Parliament representing the province. He cited affordability, social justice and homelessness as key concerns, while supporting "a strong Quebec within a strong Canada.”
The Canadian Prime Minister also called for a Canada that is more independent, sovereign and prosperous, while preserving Quebec’s language, culture and way of life.
“Free from interference from foreign governments and large tech firms that think they can tell us what to do,” he said.
Musk Backs Quebec, Alberta, Saskatchewan Secession
On Wednesday, Elon Musk weighed in on Quebec independence after responding Wednesday to a post about premier-designate Paul St-Pierre Plamondon’s pledge to achieve independence.
"Good. Quebec should separate," Musk wrote on X. In another post, he added, "They would be better off. Alberta and Saskatchewan should separate too.”
Notably, in an interview with the New York Times last month, Carney signaled that Canada would reduce its reliance on Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service. “Starlink we will diversify away from, no question.” he said.
Carney Warns of Brexit-Style Crisis
The dispute comes as separatist sentiment in Alberta has gained organizational momentum. In February, volunteers with the Alberta Prosperity Project and allied groups pursued the roughly 177,000 signatures needed to trigger a citizen-initiated independence referendum. The campaign unfolded as Canada faced strained relations with the United States, including tariff disputes and annexation rhetoric.
Carney later warned that an Alberta referendum could create a Brexit-style crisis that Canada might struggle to reverse, calling Premier Danielle Smith’s proposed October 19 referendum "a very dangerous bluff."
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