Smith says ‘Canada worth fighting for’ in provincial address

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith aimed to reaffirm her vision of a “sovereign Alberta within a united Canada” on Thursday, telling a Calgary audience that the country is still worth defending despite rising separatist sentiment.

Speaking to the Rotary Club of Calgary at the Fairmont Palliser Hotel, Smith used her ‘State of the Province’ address to say her government is working to confront what she described as the frustrations driving some Albertans toward separation.

She pointed to recent provincial actions on firearms rules, immigration issues and the memorandum of understanding on energy development.

“Everything I’ve done is to try to address the pressure points about why people have given up on Canada,” she said, adding that her goal remains strengthening Alberta’s position inside the country.

The address came the same day the provincial NDP launched a new “pro‑Canada” campaign aimed at mobilizing Albertans opposed to separation. The effort arrives ahead of a potential referendum expected on Oct. 19, though no official question has been finalized.

Last week, Stay Free Alberta, which is collecting signatures calling for a vote on Alberta leaving Canada, claimed its effort had collected the required number of signatures ahead of a May 2 deadline. A petition led by former provincial cabinet minister Thomas Lukaszuk, opposing separation, surpassed the required signature threshold in December.

NDP leader and former Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi said Thursday he does not believe Smith is pro‑Canada, a characterization the premier has continually rejected.

West coast pipeline push continues

Smith also addressed the province’s ongoing push for a new pipeline to the West Coast, acknowledging public doubt but insisting the project remains on track.

“We’ll put our project proposal for the western pipeline into the major projects office in June,” she said. “We hope to get a positive go‑ahead by the end of the year.”

The pipeline concept stems from last year’s memorandum of understanding between Alberta and Ottawa, which outlined a path toward an Indigenous co‑owned project and potential changes to federal environmental policies, including the proposed emissions cap and tanker restrictions.

Several deadlines in the agreement have already passed, including an April 1 target for alignment on industrial carbon pricing and methane rules. Alberta has set July 1 as its deadline for submitting pipeline plans to the federal Major Projects Office.

A draft deal announced last month between Alberta and Ottawa proposes a more streamlined approval process, with provincial regulators taking the lead on non‑renewable resource projects and integrated oversight for developments involving federal jurisdiction.

Preparing to host major events

Smith also highlighted long‑term infrastructure ambitions, including integrated rail systems and new sports facilities, saying Alberta must be ready to host major international events.

Edmonton, Calgary and Prague are set to co‑host the 2028 World Cup of Hockey, with games planned for Calgary’s new Scotia Place, scheduled to open in September 2027, and Edmonton’s Rogers Place.

Smith’s remarks on Thursday followed new data from the Angus Reid Institute showing half of Albertans believe the province is headed in the wrong direction. Despite that pessimism, the poll found Albertans rate their provincial government more favourably than residents in most other provinces rate theirs.

With files from the Canadian Press