Danielle Smith Distances Herself from Separatism on Alberta Day, Says People’s Voices Must Be Heard

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith avoided addressing the province’s separatist movement in her speech at Heritage Park in Calgary during an Alberta Day event.

The remarks came ahead of the Oct. 19 referendum, in which Albertans will be asked whether they want to remain part of Canada or proceed with a second referendum on Alberta separation.

Smith has already said she intends to vote for Alberta to remain in Canada. In her brief speech, she praised the province’s cultural diversity and said Canada recognizes Alberta’s economic and strategic importance.

At the same time, Smith said the referendum is a legal process triggered by a petition signed by nearly 700,000 Albertans, and that the voices of those residents should be heard.

She attributed the growing separatist sentiment in Alberta largely to former prime minister Justin Trudeau’s previous energy and environmental policies. However, Smith said progress has been made over the past 18 months in improving relations with Prime Minister Mark Carney and ensuring Alberta’s interests are strongly represented in Ottawa.