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

Liberal leadership candidate Karina Gould says party made it 'hard' to run

Liberal leadership candidate Karina Gould says her campaign is doing everything it can to remain in the race, despite not having deep pockets like her main rivals. Candidates have to pay a $125,000 fee by Friday to remain in the race, and a total entry fee of $350,000.

Liberal leadership candidate Karina Gould says party made it 'hard' to run

Listing crime cartels as terrorists would help in fentanyl fight: RCMP commissioner

RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme says he welcomes a federal plan to list organized crime cartels as terrorist entities to fight fentanyl trafficking. In an interview, Duheme says listing criminal organizations would give the Mounties more tools to pursue charges and enforce the law.

Listing crime cartels as terrorists would help in fentanyl fight: RCMP commissioner

Amid U.S. tariff threats, a fight may be brewing over Canadian supply management

The federal government and the Canadian dairy industry are vowing to protect the country’s supply management system in the face of threats from the United States. But some observers, and even some who work in the industry, say Canada will have to consider changes to the decades-old system that controls the supply of dairy products to appease a combative Trump administration.

Amid U.S. tariff threats, a fight may be brewing over Canadian supply management

Police say YouTuber caught speeding on Vancouver Island loses car for a week

Mounties on Vancouver Island say a man who described himself as a YouTube influencer had his vehicle impounded and was fined $368 for speeding. Police say an unmarked BC Highway Patrol officer was working Sunday in Lantzville when he heard an "excessively loud" vehicle accelerate from a stoplight on Highway 19.

Police say YouTuber caught speeding on Vancouver Island loses car for a week

California builders say few alternatives to Canadian timber, despite tariff threat

California homebuilders say they have few options but to keep buying Canadian lumber, even if it's hit with 25 per cent tariffs, as they rebuild thousands of homes destroyed by devastating wildfires in Los Angeles.

California builders say few alternatives to Canadian timber, despite tariff threat

B.C. investigates 'significant' opioid diversion, including international trafficking

A recent B.C. Ministry of Health document says a "significant portion" of opioids prescribed by doctors and pharmacists are being diverted and that prescribed alternatives are being trafficked provincially, nationally and internationally.