National

Smith says sovereignty referendum provides 'outlet' to avoid creation of new party

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 08 May, 2025 10:33 AM

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she's willing to risk a separation referendum to avert the growth of a political rival.

Smith has said she doesn't support separating her province from Canada, but Albertans have genuine grievances with the federal government, and she wants concessions from Liberal Prime Minister Mark Carney.

Speaking to CTV News Channel, Smith was asked if it wasn't easier to quell separatism by taking it off the table.

Smith says, “if there isn’t an outlet, it creates a new party.”

Smith cites the high popularity of the sovereigntist Parti Québécois in Quebec, saying she doesn't want to see that happen in her home province.

Her United Conservative Party is the amalgamation of two right-wing parties that joined in 2017 to win power from then-New Democrat premier Rachel Notley in 2019.

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Trudeau says Canada 'ready' for Trump tariffs as ministers make final push in D.C.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada is ready to deliver a "purposeful, forceful but reasonable immediate" response if U.S. President Donald Trump imposes tariffs on Canadian imports. During an event in Toronto today, Trudeau said that it's "not what we want, but if he moves forward, we will also act."

Trudeau says Canada 'ready' for Trump tariffs as ministers make final push in D.C.

Darpan 10 with Dr. Sanjay Jeram, Senior Lecturer & Chair of Undergraduate Studies in Political Science at SFU

Darpan 10 with Dr. Sanjay Jeram, Senior Lecturer & Chair of Undergraduate Studies in Political Science at Simon Fraser University on Prime Minister Trudeau's resignation and what it means for Canada as well as Canada/US relations.

Darpan 10 with Dr. Sanjay Jeram, Senior Lecturer & Chair of Undergraduate Studies in Political Science at SFU

Deadly U.S. mid-air collision no reason to panic about wider safety concerns: expert

The deadly mid-air crash in Washington, D.C., Wednesday night is likely the result of unique air traffic patterns in the area and shouldn't cause wider fears over air safety, says an aviation expert. John Gradek, who teaches aviation management at McGill University, said the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport has seen rising activity over the years while military aircraft also frequently fly in the area, making it a higher-risk airspace.

Deadly U.S. mid-air collision no reason to panic about wider safety concerns: expert

NDP leader doubles down on pledge to force a spring election

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh vowed Thursday to force a spring election at the end of March, when Parliament is scheduled to return. But even as he doubled down on his pledge to help topple the Liberal government, Singh called on that government to recall Parliament early to work on legislation to prepare for a possible tariff war with the United States.

NDP leader doubles down on pledge to force a spring election

Vancouver escort charged with armed robbery

A Vancouver escort who pleaded guilty to stealing more than 90-thousand-dollars from six men has been charged with armed robbery in Ontario. Jessica Kane, who pleaded guilty last July to theft in B-C, is one of two people charged in a robbery in Vaughan, north of Toronto, earlier this month.

Vancouver escort charged with armed robbery

Drug seizure at a Kamloops parking lot

Police in Kamloops say paper license plates led to officers finding 100 grams of suspected illegal drugs in a a plaza parking lot. R-C-M-P say officers were on a separate call for service when they spotted a suspicious license plate on a Chrysler 300 sedan.