Alberta on the edge as premier smith warns separatist anger is no longer fringe and desire to leave canada hits historic high
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says the desire among Albertans to leave Canada has reached an unprecedented level, following a surprise result in a recent provincial byelection that saw a separatist candidate claim nearly 18 percent of the vote.
Speaking at a press conference in Calgary on Wednesday(June 25), Smith said the growing support for separation is “a signal of deep frustration and anger” in the province, particularly over federal laws that she claims are restricting Alberta’s energy sector.
“This is not a fringe issue anymore,” Smith said. “I take that frustration seriously, and I hope Prime Minister Mark Carney does too.”
The premier's remarks come just weeks after Alberta passed legislation making it easier for citizens to trigger a provincial referendum on separation. Under Bill 54, passed on May 15, a petition signed by just 10 percent of voters (around 177,000 people) would be enough to force a non-binding vote on whether Alberta should pursue independence from Canada.
Though Smith insists she is not personally advocating for secession, she argues that the federal government must act to calm the growing unrest. She has urged Ottawa to repeal or revise environmental and energy policies she believes are harming Alberta’s oil and gas economy, particularly the federal Impact Assessment Act and emissions caps.
“The ball is in the Prime Minister’s court,” Smith said. “Albertans want to be treated fairly. If we see that, the separatist movement will lose momentum.”
Federal Internal Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland, who appeared at the same event, pointed to recent legislation passed by Parliament that aims to accelerate approval of infrastructure and energy projects of “national interest.” She urged Albertans to see this as proof that Ottawa is prioritizing economic development.
Still, frustrations remain high in the western province, where energy jobs and revenues play a crucial role. Pipeline workers, farmers, and small business owners say they feel ignored by federal policies crafted in faraway Ottawa.
Polls suggest support for Alberta independence remains a minority view, hovering around 30–35 percent. But the growing visibility of separatist candidates and rhetoric has caught national attention and stirred concerns of a new unity crisis in Canada.
Speaking at a press conference in Calgary on Wednesday(June 25), Smith said the growing support for separation is “a signal of deep frustration and anger” in the province, particularly over federal laws that she claims are restricting Alberta’s energy sector.
“This is not a fringe issue anymore,” Smith said. “I take that frustration seriously, and I hope Prime Minister Mark Carney does too.”
The premier's remarks come just weeks after Alberta passed legislation making it easier for citizens to trigger a provincial referendum on separation. Under Bill 54, passed on May 15, a petition signed by just 10 percent of voters (around 177,000 people) would be enough to force a non-binding vote on whether Alberta should pursue independence from Canada.
Though Smith insists she is not personally advocating for secession, she argues that the federal government must act to calm the growing unrest. She has urged Ottawa to repeal or revise environmental and energy policies she believes are harming Alberta’s oil and gas economy, particularly the federal Impact Assessment Act and emissions caps.
“The ball is in the Prime Minister’s court,” Smith said. “Albertans want to be treated fairly. If we see that, the separatist movement will lose momentum.”
Federal Internal Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland, who appeared at the same event, pointed to recent legislation passed by Parliament that aims to accelerate approval of infrastructure and energy projects of “national interest.” She urged Albertans to see this as proof that Ottawa is prioritizing economic development.
Still, frustrations remain high in the western province, where energy jobs and revenues play a crucial role. Pipeline workers, farmers, and small business owners say they feel ignored by federal policies crafted in faraway Ottawa.
Polls suggest support for Alberta independence remains a minority view, hovering around 30–35 percent. But the growing visibility of separatist candidates and rhetoric has caught national attention and stirred concerns of a new unity crisis in Canada.
