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Alberta separation was top of mind for premiers from across Western Canada, who gathered in Alberta on Monday for their annual meeting.
Premiers from the western provinces and northern territories met at a hotel in Kananaskis, Alta., about 100 kilometres west of Calgary, to discuss trade, the economy, energy security, defence and nation-building projects.
This comes on the heels of Smith’s announcement Thursday that she’s planning to put a question on her government’s fall referendum ballot that will ask Albertans if they want the province to remain in Canada or if they want a binding referendum on separation in the future.
At the meeting, Smith continued to defend her decision, and said the referendum would address legitimate grievances from Albertans, even though she supported Alberta staying in Canada.
She praised Prime Minister Mark Carney for addressing some issues in Alberta, like striking up an agreement with the province that could see construction on more pipeline and a new carbon pricing deal.
But Smith said there was still a long way to go.
“Let’s acknowledge that Canada maybe went down the wrong path for a long time and then let’s work together to do a reversal. And I think that that will convince more Albertans that remaining is the right choice,” Smith said.
“That’s what co-operative federalism is, is that we have areas of jurisdiction that belong to the federal government, to the provincial government.
“When we have an area of overlap, we have to work it out.”
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe supported Smith’s decision, and said he had no choice but to call the question because of the law.
British Columbia Premier David Eby previously said he opposes Smith’s approach to the separatist conversation in Alberta, and that the situation adds some awkwardness to the western premiers’ meeting.
He said he would like to use the meeting to get more clarity on what Smith’s plan is if the referendum moves forward.
“I think that this referendum question is a reckless decision to test the bonds of the country at a time when we need to stick together and fight hard,” Eby told reporters in Kananaskis.
Tensions have been flaring between Smith and Eby, who are at odds over a proposal for a new pipeline to take oil to the B.C. coast. Eby has been critical of the pipeline idea and the deal which brought it forward.
Smith, said earlier this month that she believes the signing of the energy agreement between Alberta and the federal government was a “good day for Alberta and a good day for Canada.”
At the premiers’ meeting, Eby said his government was not involved in the MOU pipeline agreement Alberta struck up with the federal government. He said he is hoping his government can be included at the table when it comes to ongoing talks.
In an online town hall on Saturday, Smith said that at this week’s premiers meeting, she also plans to discuss equalization payments, something that has been a longtime Alberta grievance with the federal government.
The premiers will continue their discussions on Tuesday.
