EDMONTON: Canada`s province of Alberta rejected a plan to hold a binding independence referendum, results showed on Tuesday, a win for unity as the country faces worsening ties with the United States.

Public broadcaster CBC and leading private network CTV projected a clear win for the federalist side, with official results showing more than 76pc support for Alberta remaining in Canada with nearly 45pc of ballots counted.

Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomed the result and said Albertans had made a `clear choice` in favour of unity. `They chose unity, to build together, and to take care of each other,` he said in a statement on X.

Carney, who grew up in Alberta, urged the province to reject separatism and argued that Canada needed stability as it confronted US President Donald Trump`s trade war and annexation threats.

A sombre mood took over the restaurant in the provincial capital Edmonton where a leading separatist group watched the returns. Jeffrey Rath, a top leader of the separatist Alberta Prosperity Project, told reporters his push for independence will `absolutely` continue, despite the result from Monday`s vote.

`As far as Pm concerned we`ve already won. We`ve created a massive movement in this province,` Rath said. `We`ve been educating Albertans on the benefits of independence and we`re continuing to move forward.` Separatist supporter Roger Hodkinson, an 82-year-old retired doctor, said `this movement is not going to stop.` Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, a conservative who opposed independence, praised the `widespread support for remaining in Canada` on Tuesday.

Smith, who called the referendum, said a win for the federalists would settle the secession issue, which has divided the province. Thomas Lukaszuk, who leads the pro-unity group Forever Canadian, said it was `amazing to see the enthusiasm and resolve among Canadians.`-AFP