Alberta's separation from Canada: Danielle Smith says she wants to take risk because...

Alberta premier Danielle Smith does not support the idea of a separate Alberta from Canada but she wants to risk a separation referendum so that no rival party takes her position. The statement makes it clear that if she does not allow a separation referendum, a rival party will emerge riding on the promise of a referendum as Albertans are strongly pushing for a referendum. Smith said Albertans have genuine grievances and she wants to negotiate concessions from Liberal Prime Minister Mark Carney.

"If there isn't an outlet, it creates a new party," Smith said.

"We've got 30 to 40 per cent of Albertans polled saying that they are dissatisfied with the country to the point where they would consider [separation]," she said. "My job is to try to bring those numbers down," she added, explaining why she's supporting the referendum. Recentl,y she announced that if enough residents sign the referendum petition, then it will go to the vote in 2026.

Smith's government has introduced a bill that would require a smaller number of people for a referendum. For a referendum, earlier the petitions had to be signed by 20 per cent of total registered voters but if the new bill is passed, it would require the signatures of 10 per cent of the eligible voters in the previous election. The time for signature collection has also been increased from 90 days to 120 days -- in the proposed bill.

Will Alberta join the US?

As Alberta is simmering with disgruntlement, questions arise whether Alberta wants to join the United States, as Donald Trump has been calling Canada its 51st state.

Ontario premier Doug Ford recently commented on Alberta's demand and said: "This is a time to unite the country, not people saying, 'Oh, I am leaving the country'"

Smith responded to Ford's comment and said: "I don’t tell him how he should run his province, and I would hope that he doesn’t tell me how I should run mine."