Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has described Alberta as “essential” to the country’s future after the province announced plans to hold a vote later this year on whether to pursue a referendum on separation from Canada.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Carney stressed cooperation between Ottawa and Alberta and pointed to recent agreements aimed at boosting the country’s economy and energy sector.

“Canada is the greatest country in the world, but it can be better. And we’re working on making it better; we’re working with Alberta on making it better,” Carney said.

“We’re renovating the country as we go, and Alberta being at the centre of that is essential,” he added.

The comments came hours after Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced plans for an October vote asking Albertans whether the province should begin the legal process for a binding referendum on separation.

Smith said she personally opposed separation but criticised a recent court ruling that blocked a separatist petition over a lack of consultation with Indigenous groups.

“Despite my personal support for remaining in Canada, I am deeply troubled by an erroneous court decision that interferes with the democratic rights of hundreds of thousands of Albertans,” she said.

Polls suggest most Albertans do not support independence, but the issue is expected to deepen political tensions between Alberta and the federal government.