Alberta fact check: Mark Carney keeps calling himself a 'proud Albertan' — but Blacklock's caught him stumbling over Alberta history
Carney is keen to discuss his 'Alberta roots' despite his disapproval in the province.
Blacklock's Reporter dug into Prime Minister Mark Carney's comments about Alberta history and found a series of strange factual errors and historical mix-ups.
Carney likes to remind Albertans that Alberta is home.
"I've arrived in my home province of Alberta."
"Back home in Alberta for the Stampede. No place like it."
"It's always great to be back home in Alberta."
But when Carney recently attempted a tribute to "great Albertans" in Parliament, things went sideways in a hurry.
He said:
"From the first Alberta prime minister, Joe Clark..."
Joe Clark was not Alberta's first prime minister. That distinction belongs to Richard Bedford Bennett, who represented Calgary and became prime minister in 1930.
After questions were raised, Carney's office reportedly tried to clarify by saying perhaps he meant the first prime minister born in Alberta.
Except Carney also mentioned Stephen Harper, who was born in Toronto.
One correction somehow generated a second problem.
And Blacklock's previously caught another Alberta-related stumble from Carney, involving his claim that Alberta's oil sands were mostly a "concept" or a "curiosity" when he was born in 1965. Historical records show oil sands development and commercial viability were already well underway by that period.
Politicians misspeak.
But if you're repeatedly emphasizing your Alberta roots while getting Alberta history wrong, eventually people start wondering whether you're remembering home — or remembering a brochure version of it.
Sheila Gunn Reid
Chief Reporter
Sheila Gunn Reid is the Editor-in-Chief, Alberta Bureau Chief, member of the board of directors, and host of The Gunn Show at Rebel News. Sheila also serves as President of the Independent Press Gallery of Canada. A mother of three and longtime conservative activist, Sheila is the author of bestselling books, including her most recent release, Independence Blueprint: What Alberta Can Learn From Quebec.
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COMMENTS
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Beatty Matthew commented 2026-05-26 08:11:49 -0400Wow, Canada , you done so well in the past ten years. You’ve upset a whole province, to the point they may want out, congratulations.
Wonder what could be the problem. -
Bernhard Jatzeck commented 2026-05-25 21:52:00 -0400I’m reminded of a scene late in the movie “Lawrence of Arabia”, in which Dryden (played by Claude Rains) tells Lawrence (Peter O’Toole), “A man who tells lies, like me, merely hides the truth, but a man who tells half-lies has forgotten where he put it.”
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Bruce Atchison commented 2026-05-25 19:53:10 -0400Carney is full of blarney. He lies so often that he’s forgotten the truth. I suspect too that he hoped we all would nod along like bobble heads to his blather. I’m glad Blacklock’s nailed his mistakes.
