National

Indigenous chiefs call for Alberta Premier Smith to stop stoking separatism talk

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 01 May, 2025 10:48 AM

Two First Nations chiefs are accusing Alberta Premier Danielle Smith of "attempting to manufacture a national unity crisis" and are calling on her to stop stoking the fires of separatism.

Smith's government has proposed legislation that would make it easier for citizens to call for a referendum on seceding from Canada.

Chief Sheldon Sunshine of Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation and Mikisew Cree Nation Chief Billy-Joe Tuccaro say in a letter that the premier is enabling a referendum on separation, and a "fanatical cell of individuals," when Canadians need to unite against U.S. tariffs.

Smith has said it would be up to Albertans, not her government, to put the separation question on a ballot and that she supports Alberta sovereignty within a united Canada.

But the chiefs say even if Smith passes the buck onto citizens, the province can't breach treaties.

In a second letter, they ask Prime Minister Mark Carney to"get the province of Alberta in line."

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Ottawa moves to block 'predatory' investments as tariff war continues

Canada's industry minister is looking to block what he calls "predatory investment behaviour" as a trade war with the United States continues. François-Philippe Champagne warned Wednesday that Canadian businesses could be at risk due to the sweeping tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Ottawa moves to block 'predatory' investments as tariff war continues

Here's the latest as the U.S. imposes tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico

Canada has responded with 25 per cent retaliatory tariffs on $30 billion worth of American products, and will expand them to cover another $125 billion in U.S. goods in 21 days.

Here's the latest as the U.S. imposes tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico

Canadians cancel U.S. travel plans amid anger over tariffs

Travel agency Flight Centre Travel Group Canada says leisure bookings to American cities dropped 40 per cent in February from the same month in 2024, while one in five customers cancelled their trips to the U.S. over the past three months.

Canadians cancel U.S. travel plans amid anger over tariffs

Former B.C. MLA Mike de Jong ousted from federal Conservative nomination race

Former B.C. finance minister Mike de Jong says he's been told by the Conservative Party of Canada that he is no longer in the running to be a candidate for the party in the next federal election. He says he found it "mystifying" that the party won't allow him to contest the nomination in the riding of Abbotsford-South Langley after campaigning for the spot for almost a year.

Former B.C. MLA Mike de Jong ousted from federal Conservative nomination race

'Elbows up': Canadians angry, defiant as U.S. tariffs take effect

In downtown Vancouver, Sandra Mori walked out of a provincial liquor store on Tuesday with B.C. wine, and raised her elbow to the sky. From coast to coast, Canadians are remaining defiant in the face of punishing U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods, promising to use their wallets to fight the trade war launched on Tuesday by President Donald Trump.

'Elbows up': Canadians angry, defiant as U.S. tariffs take effect

B.C. budget brings record deficit, billions in trade-war contingencies

British Columbia’s finance minister is forecasting another record deficit in a budget she says defends the province from an unfolding North American trade war that risks tens of thousands of jobs and tens of billions in economic losses for B.C. Brenda Bailey says “the impact will be severe” but it’s not the time to retreat by cutting spending on public services.