Jann Arden headlines Calgary concert for Canadian unity ahead of Alberta referendum | CBC News

A free outdoor concert in support of Canadian unity brought thousands to downtown Calgary on Sunday, about a month before Albertans will cast their ballots on the question of separation.

The show, held at The Confluence Historic Site and Parkland, was headlined by Calgary singer-songwriter Jann Arden with support from a variety of Canadian artists, including fellow Alberta acts Caity Gyorgy, Lindi Ortega and Reuben Bullock.

Thomas Lukaszuk, leader of the Forever Canadian campaign, told CBC News the event was being held to promote national unity at a time of political division, geopolitical conflict, and threats to the nation's sovereignty and economic independence.

"It's sort of a Canada Day on steroids, because that's what we need at this point in time," Lukaszuk said.

"We need to unite, we need to pull together and we need to send a strong message not only to the legislature in Edmonton, and not only to the rest of Canada, but to the rest of the world that as Canadians we are united, and nobody can break us up, and nobody can take advantage of us."

Voters head to the polls next month to answer 10 referendum questions. Nine of them focus on giving Alberta more clout on immigration and constitutional issues.

The tenth question asks if Alberta should stay in Canada or whether it's time to hold a second, binding referendum on leaving the country.

Thousands packed the grounds for Sunday’s concert, with organizers saying 6,000 people had registered.

In the sea of red, a few supporters of separation were in attendance. Several cars adorned with Alberta flags also drove by a few times, honking their horns.

Kelly Shelley says she was there to show support for the Forever Canadian campaign, and to make sure everybody who’s in attendance and watching at home takes the time to go vote.

“We're all frustrated that there even is a petition, but we're darn sure going to put our names on it to stay in Canada,” she said. 

Lukaszuk said the concert comes ahead of a “pivotal shift” in the Forever Canadian campaign, with the group planning to visit municipalities throughout the province to promote its message over the next four weeks.