Premiers across Canada are responding in various ways to Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s decision to lower the referendum threshold for citizen-initiated referenda, opening the door for a potential Alberta independence vote as early as 2026.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith
Smith maintains that while she does not support separation, she would honour any petition that would meet the necessary signature threshold required to trigger a referendum.
“I believe in Alberta sovereignty within a united Canada,” said Smith. “If citizens want to put a question on a ballot and get enough of their fellow citizens to sign that petition, then those questions will be put forward.”
Smith added that she hopes support for separation will decline, estimating that just over 30 per cent of Albertans currently support the idea.
Smith also announced various strategies to strengthen Alberta’s standing within Canada.
She plans to appoint a special negotiating team to make various demands from Ottawa. Her demands include port access, repealing federal energy laws, protection from export taxes, and equitable per capita transfers.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford
Ontario Premier Doug Ford rejected the idea of separation, calling instead for national unity.
“This is a time to unite the country, not people saying, ‘Oh, I’m leaving the country,’” said Ford.
Smith responded by telling Ford not to interfere in Alberta’s affairs.
“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,” said Smith.
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe rejected both separation and the status quo.
“The government of Saskatchewan is not interested in separation, and the government of Saskatchewan certainly isn’t interested in the status quo either,” said Moe. “If Saskatchewan citizens want to have their voice heard in the way of a referendum, they’re going to get their voice heard.”
Like Smith, Moe said he supports a united Canada but wouldn’t block a citizen-led vote.
British Columbia Premier David Eby
B.C. Premier David Eby urged Western premiers to oppose separatism.
“But I certainly encourage them all, Premier Smith, Premier Moe, to and I believe that they’re on board for this, to work together for the good of the country, to hold the country together and to push back strongly on any kind of separatist sentiment,” he said.
Eby also criticized a B.C. MLA for posting a separatist map, calling it “dumb.”
Quebec
While Premier François Legault has not endorsed Alberta’s path, his sovereigntist rivals have.
Parti Québécois leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon praised Smith’s actions.
“In six months, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has done more for her province and to stand up to the federal government than François Legault has done for Quebec in seven years in power,” he said.
Other provinces and territories
No formal responses to Alberta’s referendum legislation have been issued by the premiers of Manitoba, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Yukon, Northwest Territories, or Nunavut.
This is not a comprehensive list, and True North will update it as more responses come in.