Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney described Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's planned October 19 vote on pursuing constitutional steps toward independence as a potential 'dangerous bluff' similar to the 2016 Brexit referendum. Smith stated the non-binding vote would assess support for legal steps under the Constitution toward a possible binding referendum, though her United Conservative Party did not campaign on the issue in the prior provincial election. Carney, who served as Bank of England governor during Britain's EU exit vote, noted the topic was absent from the last Alberta ballot.