Premier Danielle Smith says she will not “demonize or marginalize” Albertans who support Alberta or Western independence, responding to reporters’ questions following warnings from British Columbia Premier David Eby and the federal government about alleged outreach by independence groups to the United States.
Smith’s comments came after Eby said that seeking foreign assistance to break up Canada could amount to treason, remarks that were raised during a First Ministers’ meeting and the subsequent press conference.
Asked to respond, Smith said polling suggests as many as 30% of Albertans—roughly one million people—have lost faith in Confederation after what she described as a decade of federal hostility toward the province.
“When you look at the polls, they suggest as many as 30% of Albertans have lost hope,” Smith said. “That’s about a million people, and I’m not going to demonize or marginalize a million of my fellow citizens when they’ve got legitimate grievances.”
Smith emphasized that her United Conservative government supports a “strong and sovereign Alberta within a united Canada,” noting legislation passed early in her tenure affirming that position. However, she said frustration with Ottawa’s policies has fueled growing support for Alberta and Western independence.
“For 10 years under Justin Trudeau’s government, our province was relentlessly attacked,” Smith said. “Our economy was attacked, our provincial rights were attacked, and also our personal freedoms and our way of life.”
