
Bell: Most Albertans want provincial government plan for how Alberta exits Canada
The question jumps out at you.
Article content
Article content
Do you think the Alberta government should or should not prepare a detailed plan for how Alberta could become its own independent country? The plan would be for Albertans to consider and vote on in a referendum.
Article content
The number who think the Alberta government should prepare a detailed plan. 51 per cent.
Article content
Those who think the Alberta government should not prepare a plan. 45 per cent. The rest are not sure.
Article content
Article content
That's 51 per cent for a plan and the debate over the future of Alberta is just getting started.
Article content
Article content
These numbers come from a hot-off-the-press poll commissioned by the Alberta government. The poll was conducted by Trend Research under the direction of Janet Brown.
Article content
If you don't know Janet Brown, you should. Brown knows her stuff. Her batting average is major league, right on the money.
Article content
Another question.
Article content
Again, the separatist campaign has only just begun.
Article content
Then there are the demands Alberta Premier Danielle Smith presented to Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Article content
Smith has strong agreement on all her demands.
Article content
The strongest support is at a whopping 87 per cent for new pipeline and port access to the Pacific, Atlantic and Arctic Oceans to export Alberta oil and gas and other resources.
Article content
Another real popular demand is Alberta getting the same per person federal transfer dough as Quebec, Ontario and B.C.
Article content
Article content
Yet another is having no made-in-Ottawa export tax or restrictions on Alberta oil or other resources without the consent of the Alberta government.
Article content
Article content
If most or all of Smith's demands are not met, and Carney has six months to deliver, 38 per cent are more likely to want to see Alberta separate and become its own independent country.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Calgary Herald
an hour ago
- Calgary Herald
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith sees 'encouraging signs' in federal approach to energy
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith expressed optimism in Prime Minister Mark Carney's approach to energy at a Calgary conference. Article content However, speaking at the Global Energy Show, Smith said Carney 'has the ability to show leadership and be able to either substantially revise or completely eliminate some of those bad policies.' Article content Article content She later noted several policies, including the emissions cap, tanker ban and Bill C-69, among others. Article content Article content 'A lot of the people who imposed bad policies over the last 10 years are still in key positions in either his government or his caucus . . . I recognize that he has a real challenge on climbing down on some of them,' said Smith. Article content Article content For other policy changes, she acknowledged the 'large amount' of work and time it would take to repeal them. Article content 'I'm going to be optimistic,' said Smith, adding she hopes for change during the next legislative session this fall. Article content In addition to policy, Smith also noted a need for more 'nation-building' projects, pipelines in particular. Article content 'We need projects that go north to Grays Bay, that go east to Churchill, and also potentially a modern version of Energy East,' she said. Article content Article content Those routes would address Canada's geopolitical priorities and Arctic security, she added. Article content 'Alberta benefits tremendously from developing its energy to the fullest, but the rewards aren't limited to our province or a handful of companies — far from it. Everybody wins when Alberta realizes its full potential of its energy,' said Smith. Article content Article content 'I've seen encouraging signs that the prime minister is open to this thinking. Now we need to turn these ideas and these opportunities into action,' said Smith. Article content Perhaps the first step would be a couple of pipeline expansions, in particular Trans Mountain and something to the U.S., she said. Article content 'I know that the U.S. is quite interested in having this conversation with us about how to increase the supply of our oil going south. But then we've also seen the premiers come together, looking at a Port of Prince Rupert to Churchill energy corridor,' Smith said.


Global News
3 hours ago
- Global News
Premier Danielle Smith says Alberta looking to entice private-sector pipeline builder
See more sharing options Send this page to someone via email Share this item on Twitter Share this item via WhatsApp Share this item on Facebook Premier Danielle Smith says Alberta's government is working to entice a private-sector player to build a crude pipeline to coastal waters. She urged attendees at the Global Energy Show to keep up the pressure on Ottawa to help speed along such a nation-building project. Smith has been enthusiastic about reviving a plan to ship oilsands crude to Prince Rupert on the northern B.C. coast for export to Asia. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy But she says that's never going to happen as long as there's a tanker ban in place on the West Coast. Smith is also keen on accessing global markets via a pipeline to the Port of Churchill in northern Manitoba, and praised Premier Wab Kinew for being open to that idea. Smith says the federal government must understand what's at stake and anything less than success means failing to stand up for Canada and democracy.


Winnipeg Free Press
4 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Alberta premier says province is looking to entice private-sector pipeline builder
CALGARY – Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says her government is working to entice a private-sector player to build a crude pipeline to coastal waters. She urged attendees at the Global Energy Show to keep up the pressure on Ottawa to help speed along such a nation-building project. Smith has been enthusiastic about reviving a plan to ship oilsands crude to Prince Rupert on the northern B.C. coast for export to Asia. But she says that's never going to happen as long as there's a tanker ban in place on the West Coast. Smith is also keen on accessing global markets via a pipeline to the Port of Churchill in northern Manitoba, and praised Premier Wab Kinew for being open to that idea. Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. Smith says the federal government must understand what's at stake and anything less than success means failing to stand up for Canada and democracy. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 11, 2025.