Q&A: Premier Danielle Smith says she doesn’t need Alberta separatists’ support
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has publicly distanced herself from separatist factions within her United Conservative Party. She emphasized that her government will prioritize immigration and electoral integrity legislation over constitutional debates.
Why it matters
This signals a strategic shift for the UCP as it attempts to balance its populist base with mainstream voter concerns ahead of the upcoming provincial election.
Smith says she told members of her United Conservative Party on Wednesday that they should support the will of the majority of Albertans who have voted to stay in Canada, or leave the party.
But some prominent separatists like Mitch Sylvestre , the president of the UCP's Bonnyville-Cold Lake-St. Paul constituency association, have long argued that they helped oust former premier Jason Kenney and get Smith in as leader of the UCP.
CBC Radio’s West of Centre host Kathleen Petty interviewed the premier on Friday.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Jared Wesley from the University of Alberta had observed “a referendum does not just reveal your strength — it can also reveal your weakness.” Did it here?
It showed to me that certainly on the constitutional questions, there just is not the appetite to pursue it. And I think there's a couple of reasons for that.
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