Danielle Smith answers questions about Alta. referendum

Added: 2026-05-23

[00:00:00]Thanks. You know, while Premier Smith has added a vote on separation to October's referendum slate, but a vote in favor of separation won't actually mean Alberta is leaving Canada. I will be requesting our government add an additional question to the October 19th referendum vote announced previously.

[00:00:17]The additional question will be, should Alberta remain a province of Canada, or should the government of Alberta commence the legal process required under the Canadian Constitution to hold a binding provincial referendum on whether or not Alberta should separate from Canada?

[00:00:34]A complicated question on a complicated topic, and Kevin Green joins us now from McDougall Centre to help sort it out.

[00:00:41]Kevin?

[00:00:43]Jefferson, there have been a lot of twists and turns before we got to this point, and now it seems we've got a multipart question that at least one part of it in a referendum asks, do you want to have a referendum? The Premier made that announcement last night while reiterating that she still thinks the separatist petition should go forward, saying her government will fight the recent injunction halting it all the way to the highest court in the country if need be, but she says that would take too long to have it held in the October referendum. So, this is her answer.

[00:01:13]Smith claims it's her way of appeasing those who want this issue resolved on both sides, but it doesn't sound like that move was successful. Both the founder of the Forever Canadian petition isn't happy with it, and the head of the separatist prosperity project threatens his members will try to oust her in a UCP general meeting. Speaking here on Morning Live just over an hour ago, political scientist Dwayne Brat says Smith's question puts the pro-separation groups in a bit of a dilemma.

[00:01:39]Here's my question for them. Are they going to spend their time this summer agitating and mobilizing within the UCP to remove Danielle Smith, or are they going to spend their time on this referendum question and try to get what they want through that process.

[00:01:59]Brad also pointed out that while last night Smith made some of her strongest statements ever about her desire for Alberta to remain in Canada, she did not say that she would actively campaign for that side of the referendum question.

[00:02:12]Jefferson, we should learn more about that later this afternoon when the premier holds a press conference here at McDougall Centre in downtown Calgary.

[00:02:19]Right. Okay, thanks Kevin.