Latest news with #FreeAlbertaStrategy
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
What is the Free Alberta Strategy that is fueling separatism from Canada? Could Alberta become a new country?
Danielle Smith's push for Alberta separation is deeply rooted in oil politics, not just alienation- In the days following Mark Carney's election as Canada's new prime minister, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith wasted no time in rolling out dramatic political changes. Among the most striking? Making it easier to hold a referendum — a move that could open the door for a vote on Alberta's separation from Canada. Smith says this is about 'alienation.' But look closer, and it's clear the driving force is Alberta's oil and gas industry — and a political strategy built years ago around protecting it. That strategy, known as the Free Alberta Strategy, is now at the core of Smith's rhetoric. And it's shaping Alberta's relationship with the rest of Canada in ways that could carry serious consequences. Is Alberta's separation debate really about oil, not national unity? The idea that Alberta is being unfairly treated by Ottawa isn't new. But this time, the movement comes with an organized, oil-driven political plan. The Free Alberta Strategy, co-written by Smith's chief of staff Rob Anderson, U of C professor Barry Cooper, and lawyer Derek From, calls on the province to take major steps to reduce its ties to the federal government. That includes creating its own police force, leaving the Canada Pension Plan, and opting out of any federal program seen as interfering with Alberta's control over its resources. Continue to video 5 5 Next Stay Playback speed 1x Normal Back 0.25x 0.5x 1x Normal 1.5x 2x 5 5 / Skip Ads by by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Top 10 Most Beautiful Women In The World OMGIFacts Undo Anderson and his co-authors claimed in 2021 that Alberta's treatment within Canada had become 'intolerable,' blaming Ottawa for launching an 'assault' on Alberta's most valuable sector — oil and gas. Smith, a long-time ally of Anderson, brought this strategy with her into power and has been following it closely ever since. What is the Free Alberta Strategy, and how is it shaping policy? The Free Alberta Strategy isn't just an idea — it's a working plan. Its first priority was the Alberta Sovereignty Act, which Smith introduced as her very first legislative move. That was only the beginning. Live Events The next steps in the plan included pulling Alberta out of the Canada Pension Plan, creating a provincial police force, and challenging federal control over everything from environmental regulations to education. While the pension plan idea hasn't gained traction and the police force plan is moving slowly, the UCP government has made it clear that the fight is focused on energy. A key example is Alberta's Critical Infrastructure Defence Act, which has been amended to try and block federal employees from entering facilities that track emissions data — even if those facilities are privately owned. Alberta has also taken the federal government to court over clean electricity rules and is demanding major rollbacks on federal climate and energy laws — including a complete overhaul of the equalization system, which Alberta ties closely to its oil wealth. Why is Danielle Smith blaming Ottawa for Alberta's energy struggles? Oil and gas still drive Alberta's economy. A $1 shift in the price of oil can mean a swing of $750 million in the province's budget. Smith knows this — and she's leaning heavily on that fact to justify her political stance. Smith argues that Ottawa is holding Alberta back through laws like the Impact Assessment Act, carbon tax policies, and the oil tanker ban on the B.C. coast. She's called on the Carney government to roll back nine federal laws and regulations, all of which affect oil and gas development. Her list includes: Repealing federal environmental assessments Removing the B.C. tanker ban Scrapping the federal clean electricity plan Ending the proposed emissions cap for oil and gas Eliminating net-zero mandates for vehicles Returning carbon tax control to the provinces Removing the 'toxic' label from plastics Protecting pipelines through guaranteed economic corridors Ending what she called 'federal censorship of energy companies' Almost every demand is tied to Alberta's oil and gas sector. Could Alberta separation efforts backfire on the oil industry? Danielle Smith's government insists this is about protecting Alberta's prosperity. But experts say the move could backfire — especially if Alberta were to seriously pursue separation. In a May 5 speech, Smith criticized Canada's current energy policies, saying: 'We have the most abundant and accessible natural resources of any country on Earth, and yet we landlock them... while enabling polluting dictatorships to eat our lunch.' But if Alberta actually separates from Canada, the problem of being landlocked could get even worse. The province would no longer have access to the national infrastructure or interprovincial support it needs to move oil and gas to other markets. It might even become more reliant on the U.S. — the 'single customer' Smith herself criticized. As political scientist Jared Wesley pointed out, Smith's list of demands doesn't reflect a national consensus. Instead, they could stir up deeper frustrations, especially if they fail — making separation talk even more volatile. Who is behind Alberta's separation talk, and where does Smith stand? Alberta's frustrations with Ottawa go back over a century. But what's different now is the level of support those feelings are getting from the provincial government. Smith succeeded Jason Kenney, a federalist who helped create the United Conservative Party but was later pushed out by more hardline elements. Smith and her advisor Rob Anderson belong to that outer flank — the side of the party that sees Ottawa as hostile and believes in taking extreme measures to protect Alberta's energy wealth. In a recent post, University of Calgary political scientist Lisa Young described today's Alberta separatists in three groups: True believers who want Alberta to become an independent conservative haven Instrumentalists who use separation threats to win concessions — similar to Quebec Skeptics who are loyal to Canada but see the debate as a negotiating tactic The Free Alberta Strategy dismisses that last group as 'well-meaning and sincere,' but says they 'have not learned from history.' Where does Smith fall? It's not clear if she truly wants to separate or is using the threat to pressure the federal government. Either way, the stakes are high, and the timing — during a growing trade war with the U.S. — adds even more uncertainty. What's next for Alberta as it doubles down on oil? Smith's government continues to shift Alberta's energy priorities. The province is scaling back support for renewable energy, pushing for more natural gas use, and reviewing its industrial carbon tax. These changes go beyond resisting Ottawa — they represent a complete shift in how Alberta wants to power its future. But at what cost? In her address, Smith warned of those who would try to 'divide' Albertans. Yet her government's approach suggests there's only one vision for Alberta, one that centers on oil and gas. Disagree with it, and you're seen as part of the problem. Smith summed up her view with one line: 'Albertans are more of an 'actions speak louder than words' kind of people.' So far, her government's actions — and the direction of the Free Alberta Strategy — speak louder than any speech. FAQs: Q1: What is Danielle Smith's main goal with the Free Alberta Strategy? To protect Alberta's oil and gas industry from federal climate and energy policies. Q2: Why is Alberta threatening separation from Canada? Alberta feels Ottawa is hurting its economy, especially oil and gas, and wants more control.
Edmonton Journal
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Edmonton Journal
Braid: Will 'yes' vote on independence force Premier Smith to act? She won't say
Article content The question to Premier Danielle Smith was as blunt as I could make it. Article content Article content If Albertans vote 'yes' to separation in a referendum, would she proceed to pull Alberta out of Canada? The premier did not say no. Neither did she say yes. 'Until I see an actual question with 177,000 signatures of Albertans that are supportive of it, it's difficult for me to know what that looks like,' she said at Tuesday's news conference. Article content 'I did say (Monday) in my commentary that I will respect the wishes of Albertans, and at the moment, they're a bit undefined about what it is Albertans want to do. 'I think if an election were held today, it (Alberta independence) would get about 30 per cent support. 'So that's why I want to make sure that those numbers do not get higher and . . . end up going lower because we're successful in negotiating a new arrangement with Canada.' Article content Smith is setting up the referendum idea as a pressure valve for angry Albertans. She'll let them get signatures while she tries to get a deal with Prime Minister Mark Carney. Her personal view is clear — she's no separatist, yet. She seems to follow the Free Alberta Strategy that sees independence as a last resort. But her referendum vote could be the best thing that ever happened to Alberta separatism. The signature drive will motivate our separatists to organize, raise money and work hard. They'll pick up sympathizers along the way. They have Smith's full approval to give it a try. Article content Article content Postmedia's Rahim Mohamed asked a crucial question — would she allow her MLAs and ministers to campaign for one side or the other in a referendum campaign? Smith said the UCP was founded in 2017 with a declaration of 'loyalty to a united Canada and a commitment for Alberta to be a leader in the Canadian Federation.' That suggests campaigning for separatism would be disloyal to the party and maybe cause for ejection from caucus. But, again, Smith didn't say MLAs should be neutral. 'I'm not going to be demonizing anybody who may have a different view than me,' she said at one point. 'All I can do is try to convince people that my view is right, that it's worth giving it a try, it's worth doing the negotiation and it's worth trying to find some way for the federal government to compromise.' Article content Red Deer MLA Jason Stephan has already said he wants this referendum to happen, and he's no fan of today's Canada. The Brexit debate in the U.K. ripped apart the ruling Conservative Party. Division brought four prime ministers in successive short-term rises and falls. Alberta's Referendum Act does not generally make a referendum vote binding on the government, but makes exceptions for some constitutional matters. It's hard to imagine a more obvious constitutional issue than a province leaving Canada. First Nations are already in a fury over possible violations to their constitutional rights. Smith will have to be very clear on that question before any vote is held. Would this be a binding vote, or just another of the UCP's ingenious ways to let people blow off steam? The UCP had a fair deal panel under former Premier Jason Kenney. Now there will be an Alberta Next panel. Smith herself will be out there asking people what they want Alberta to look like in the future. Article content She casually throws in provocative statements like the following: 'There's quite a bit of law internationally that says that if you are a separate nation, one nation cannot landlock another. 'It's sort of a given that it is an inappropriate use of power to prevent a jurisdiction from being able to get its resources to market.' She was talking in the context of corridors within Canada, but suddenly added a whiff of separatism. Carney was asked about this Alberta referendum after his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington. 'Canada is stronger when we work together,' said the ex-Edmontonian. 'As an Albertan, I firmly believe that you can always ask the question, but I know what I would respond, clearly.' In Alberta, something else is clear. We're heading for a vote that will raise passions to heights unseen since the 1980s. Latest National Stories
Calgary Herald
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
Braid: Will 'yes' vote on independence force Premier Smith to act? She won't say
The question to Premier Danielle Smith was as blunt as I could make it. Article content Article content If Albertans vote 'yes' to separation in a referendum, would she proceed to pull Alberta out of Canada? Article content The premier did not say no. Neither did she say yes. Article content 'Until I see an actual question with 177,000 signatures of Albertans that are supportive of it, it's difficult for me to know what that looks like,' she said at Tuesday's news conference. Article content Article content 'I did say (Monday) in my commentary that I will respect the wishes of Albertans, and at the moment, they're a bit undefined about what it is Albertans want to do. Article content Article content 'I think if an election were held today, it (Alberta independence) would get about 30 per cent support. Article content 'So that's why I want to make sure that those numbers do not get higher and . . . end up going lower because we're successful in negotiating a new arrangement with Canada.' Article content Smith is setting up the referendum idea as a pressure valve for angry Albertans. She'll let them get signatures while she tries to get a deal with Prime Minister Mark Carney. Article content Her personal view is clear — she's no separatist, yet. She seems to follow the Free Alberta Strategy that sees independence as a last resort. Article content But her referendum vote could be the best thing that ever happened to Alberta separatism. Article content The signature drive will motivate our separatists to organize, raise money and work hard. They'll pick up sympathizers along the way. They have Smith's full approval to give it a try. Article content Article content Postmedia's Rahim Mohamed asked a crucial question — would she allow her MLAs and ministers to campaign for one side or the other in a referendum campaign? Article content Article content Smith said the UCP was founded in 2017 with a declaration of 'loyalty to a united Canada and a commitment for Alberta to be a leader in the Canadian Federation.' Article content 'All I can do is try to convince people that my view is right, that it's worth giving it a try, it's worth doing the negotiation and it's worth trying to find some way for the federal government to compromise.'
