Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday urged the oil-rich province of Alberta not to initiate the process toward possible secession in Monday's vote, claiming that the U.S. is trying to break Canada so it can "own" the country. 

At a rally in Calgary, Carney said the referendum is coming at the worst possible time. 

“The world has become more dangerous and divided. Some outside our borders are working to break us so they can own us," Carney said, the Associated Press reported. 

While Carney didn't directly mention President Donald Trump, he has in previous speeches. Albertan voters will not vote on separation Monday. The vote will decide whether to remain a province or direct the government to begin the legal process toward a possible referendum on separation in the future. 

Carney warned Albertans not to use the vote to send a message to the Canadian federal government in Ottawa, arguing that it would be a "dangerous bluff" that would create "division and great uncertainty."