Latest news with #separatism
CTV News
3 days ago
- Politics
- CTV News
‘They don't know what country they're investing in:' Nenshi says separation talk has soured outside investors away from Alberta
Naheed Nenshi, Alberta NDP leader, speaks with Alberta Primetime host Michael Higgins about the Alberta Next panel town halls and his own party's engagement campaign. This interview has been edited for clarity and length Michael Higgins: Alberta Next town halls, two down, several more to go. What are they serving to accomplish? Naheed Nenshi: What a debacle this is. It's just a sham. It's very clear. The premier is very transparent on what she's trying to do here. She's basically saying she started a fire for separatism to get people all mad. She's going to come back and say, you don't want to separate. We're just going to give you your going to give you your own pension plan and your own police force, and everything will be OK. It's not going to work. It didn't work when Jason Kenney did it in 2019, it's not going to work now. The real problem here is that she started a fire, and now she's desperately trying to call the fire department. She's spending millions of dollars of taxpayer money to give separatists a platform, to get other people angry at the separatists showing up at these things, to get people in the audience yelling at each other. What in the world is this going to accomplish? It doesn't actually give you any sense of how Albertans really feel. They're using very bad push polling, very biased videos, to try and get people to answer questions the way they want to answer them. There's no option to say, 'I don't want an Alberta Pension Plan.' The options are, 'What's the best part about an Alberta Pension Plan?' We know nobody wants an Alberta Pension Plan. We know nobody really cares about getting rid of the RCMP. None of this stuff is actually going to address the real concerns of Albertans. None of it's going to get a pipeline built. In fact, all this talk of separation has turned into freezing investment in Alberta, just like we saw in Britain, in Quebec, in Scotland and so on. No one wants to invest here because they don't know what country they're investing in. If we want to address the real economic and social concerns of Albertans, let's address them, because getting our own pension plan is not solving any of people's concerns with how to make Alberta better. MH: They are an opportunity though, are they not, to have a say on these contentious issues for Albertans to directly address the premier? She has faced some angry questions, some criticism, and it's not every day Albertans get to speak directly to Danielle Smith. NN: That is true, except if you have a Canadian flag on, they don't let you in. If you look like you don't agree with them, they don't let you in. They don't let the media film these things or ask any questions. So while they're open to everyone to register, what we've seen is that the folks who believe in separatism have very smartly taken up the slots to give a very stacked room and a very biased view of what's going on. You will see that when people speak out against the Alberta Pension Plan, even in a stacked room, they get massive applause. What the premier was saying was really funny, 'A recent poll shows that some people like the Alberta Pension Plan.' The question that was asked in that poll is, 'If you could have an Alberta Pension Plan that costs less and pays more benefits and has no risk, would you be in favour of it?' That's counterfactual. Those things don't actually exist in the real world. MH: Your party is preparing to hit the highway as well this summer with a handful of town hall meetings. Is that meant to be direct competition with Alberta Next? NN: Very much not, because we don't want to just repeat what she's doing that is ineffective. So we're calling it the Better Together campaign, Better Together summer, and people can find out more at It's going to look quite different. Yes, there will be some town halls where we invite people to come and give us direct feedback but we'll do it in a way that's authentic, where we actually get people talking to one another, where they have the ability to provide real feedback, not just sound bites in 10 seconds or 20 seconds. We're also doing a bunch of other things. Yesterday, for example, I was in Red Deer at the kickoff of the Westerner days. We're talking to regular people at festivals, at community events. My caucus and volunteers are going across the province door knocking. So you're going to see people on your doorstep, at your dog park, in your local community, having real, authentic conversations about what it is that's on Albertans' minds, and what are the things that we really need to focus on? We're hearing number of things already. People are furious about the separatism thing. They're saying this is a distraction from the real issues. People are worried about the cost of living, they're worried about jobs. They're worried about health care and education. They're worried about crime, and none of these things are truly being addressed by the Alberta Next panels that the premier is doing. MH: Is there a role for your party to play this summer in helping advance Thomas Lukaszuk's efforts to spawn an anti-separation referendum question? NN: There are many folks who are out there being pro-Canada, which is great because the vast majority of Albertans are pro-Canada. Our theme, Better Together, it has a few different meanings. Albertans are better when we stand together instead of fighting with their neighbours. It also means that Alberta is better with Canada. I am very unabashedly pro-Canadian and will continue to be pro-Canadian. Quite frankly, I prefer to have no referendum because I think that leads to uncertainty in people's minds. It leads to neighbours fighting with one another and it leads to a real freezing of foreign investment. That said, the premier has put her cards down. She very clearly wants there to be a referendum, though she pretends she's just an innocent bystander. She changed the laws to make it easier to have a referendum. People are going to try different strategies here. I'm just here to talk about the importance of being Canadian. MH: You've been sworn in as an MLA, no more sitting on the legislature sidelines. Does that mean you crank it up a gear for the summer? How does that change your approach to leadership of the New Democrats? NN: We're pretty cranked up already but certainly it'll be helpful to be in the legislature. When the legislature resumes in the fall it'll mean a lot of changes that are probably pretty boring for our viewers today, but it's a bunch of under the hood stuff that I can do now that I was unable to do before. For example, before I wasn't really supposed to do press conferences within the legislature because I wasn't a sworn member. So things like that will become easier but our priorities are not changing. We're really still focused on the things that Albertans tell us they need. A good economy, decent cost of living, great public services and paying for that and being good with money. Just today we had a bunch of reports from the auditor general showing yet again that this so-called conservative government is anything but conservative when it comes to spending taxpayer money. This will be a real chance for us to be able to talk more about these things that matter, including, the ongoing corrupt care scandal. The province has pushed off their investigation. They're still the subject of an RCMP investigation and an auditor general investigation despite their best efforts to stymie those. We're going to see a lot of that come up in the next little while too, to see if there really is as deep corruption within the UCP government as the allegations would make clear.
CBC
5 days ago
- Politics
- CBC
At the Alberta Next town hall, Danielle Smith finds a friendly anti-Ottawa crowd
There's a routine backdrop at most of Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's news conferences: a row of provincial and Canadian flags, or at least one of each. Even when she's doing TV interviews from home on the weekend, the pair of flags are behind her — a red-and-white and a deep blue. Her staff kept the Maple Leaf emblems at home for their road trip Tuesday to Red Deer, for the first Alberta Next panel on federal affairs. Positioned behind Smith and her 15 fellow panellists were six flags, all ultramarine with the Alberta coat of arms. This likely suited many in the crowd just fine. The roughly 450 attendees were heavily of the Alberta-first persuasion — not predominantly separatist, but certainly keen to withdraw the province from major Canadian institutions and Ottawa influence. If that preference wasn't clear from speaker after speaker making those points, the premier got clarity on the meeting hall's bent. She requested a series of straw polls on an Alberta-only pension, police force and other proposals. About three-quarters or more of the audience raised their hands in support on each question. The opponents were sparse in this central Alberta expo hall, next to where Red Deer's Westerner Days midway was set up to begin the next day. Consider one attendee's hard line on equalization and transfers to less affluent provinces: "If my brother needs help, he can come with a business plan and ask for it. And Alberta should treat the other provinces the same." That was the first speaker, but to say he set the tone would be inaccurate. Smith's team chose to frame each topic by running the videos released last month on the Alberta Next website. They preceded the user surveys and suggested big economic benefits from quitting the Canadian Pension Plan and that to gain more of a handle on immigration, Alberta "withhold provincial social programs to any non-citizen or non-permanent resident who does not have an Alberta-approved immigration status" — a move that even the video acknowledged could provoke legal challenges. The six videos and a longer introductory recording in which Smith declares Alberta has an "Ottawa problem" altogether took up more than 30 minutes of the two-and-a-half-hour event. But that still left ample time for dozens of attendees to line up at the microphones and chime in with their agreement, arguments or questions for the panel. There was even time for a self-identified communist to address the crowd — twice — and draw some of the crowd's loudest boos when he recommended nationalizing oil companies and installing workers as owners. There were scattered boos, too, for pro-independence speakers, but far more cheers for demands for a separatist referendum, be it to actually leave or as political leverage for Alberta. "If they do not know that we are serious and we can leave at any point in time, we will not ever get a pipeline to the Atlantic Ocean," someone from the Stettler area said. (Premier's staff urged journalists to stay at the media table and not wade into the crowd to speak with attendees, along with a restriction on news cameras and photography.) Smith, as chair, frequently responded to audience questions. A few panellists did as well, notably retired judge Bruce McDonald, economist Trevor Tombe and energy executive Michael Binnion, a vocal advocate for more Alberta autonomy. Other panellists had little to offer, including Environment Minister Rebecca Schulz and Business Council of Alberta president Adam Legge. They're both outspoken critics of federal energy and climate policies, but had little to offer on matters like equalization and an Alberta provincial police force; when the moderator prompted him, Legge said broadly his group liked the drive to "send a resounding message to Ottawa." Bruce McAllister, the premier's aide who moderated the town hall, invited the panel's two doctors and a disability services provider to speak on immigration, because each had immigrated themselves. On that issue, attendees roundly criticized the recent rise in immigration numbers and tied them to housing and employment issues, as the provincial video did as well. Nobody brought up its suggestion the government deny social services to certain immigrants, and Smith didn't ask for a straw poll on it. Nor did she ask for a show of hands on an Alberta tax collection agency like Quebec has, given how many speakers said it made no sense if the province couldn't collect federal taxes too (which Quebec doesn't). But when the talk came to constitutional reform, Smith was very intrigued by speakers' calls to reopen the Constitution with fellow premiers to rebalance influence toward Alberta and the West — she even suggested proposing a constitutional convention when premiers meet next week for their annual retreat. Alberta's premier then asked aloud for others to jog her memory about what went awry with the Charlottetown Accord in the early 1990s. (In brief: it wooed western provinces with Senate reform but repelled them with "distinct society" status for Quebec; both regions' populace opposed the constitutional rewrite in a 1992 referendum.) By the event's end, Smith's eagerness to reopen Canada's foundation document seemed to wane. "We know that once you open that up, you could end up having provinces stuff a bunch of things in there that we would have to compromise too much in order to agree to," Smith said at the event's conclusion. But she said she was struck by the room's strong support for Alberta quitting the RCMP and CPP, as Smith seeks potential referendum questions to put to the public next year, potentially alongside an activist-initiated vote on separation. According to repeated polls, clear majorities of Albertans have opposed the same ideas that the Alberta Next town halls have embraced. An attendee from Lacombe said that the government's videos were skewing things further away from what average Albertans believe. "These members cannot consider the findings of these meetings and the surveys as a true reflection of public opinion," he said. The similarly intentioned Fair Deal Panel that then-premier Jason Kenney launched in 2019 also found that its town halls and surveys were dominated by people who wanted to erect institutional walls to defend against Ottawa. But the Fair Deal team's final report also conducted public opinion research that found that outside the self-selected town hall and survey visitors, fewer Albertans felt the province was treated "very unfairly" or wanted to set up Alberta-only pension or police agencies. It may be that the worlds within and beyond the Alberta Next meetings have even more contrasting world views. But there are nine more town halls to go, including Wednesday's in Sherwood Park, so Smith and her co-panellists are in for much more exposure to the town-hall mindset before they reckon what to do with this feedback.
Russia Today
5 days ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
SCO must take ‘uncompromising position' on terrorism
Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar has called on the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to take an 'uncompromising position' on terrorism and stay true to its founding objectives. Speaking at the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting on Tuesday in Tianjin, China, he said the challenge for the grouping is to stabilize the global order and address longstanding challenges that threaten its collective interests. 'The three evils that SCO was founded to combat were terrorism, separatism and extremism,' Jaishankar said. 'Not surprisingly, they often occur together.' The Indian minister took the example of a terror attack in the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir in April that claimed the lives of 26 people, mostly tourists. 'It was deliberately conducted to undermine the tourism economy of Jammu and Kashmir, while sowing a religious divide,' he added. 'It is imperative that the SCO, to remain true to its founding objectives, take an uncompromising position on this challenge,' he said. The meeting was also attended by Pakistan's foreign minister, Ishaq Dar. New Delhi has blamed the April attack in Kashmir on Islamabad and struck suspected terrorist targets in Pakistan-controlled territory in response in May. This led to a military exchange that ended in four days with a ceasefire. At the SCO meeting, Dar said Pakistan seeks a 'relationship of peace with all its neighbors,' according to the Pakistani Foreign Ministry. In Tianjin, Jaishankar also called on the SCO members to assist Afghanistan. 'The compulsions of regional stability are buttressed by our longstanding concern for the well-being of the Afghan people,' he said. 'The international community, particularly SCO members, must therefore step up with development assistance. India, for its part, will certainly do so.' The foreign ministers met in the Chinese city to prepare for the 25th Heads of State Council meeting, which will be held on August 31.
Russia Today
5 days ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
SCO needs to take ‘uncompromising position' on terrorism
India's foreign minister S. Jaishankar has called on the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to take an 'uncompromising position' on terrorism and stay true to its founding objectives. Speaking at the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting on Tuesday in Tianjin, he said the challenge for the grouping is to stabilize the global order and address longstanding challenges that threaten its collective interests. 'The three evils that SCO was founded to combat were terrorism, separatism and extremism,' Jaishankar said. 'Not surprisingly, they often occur together.' The Indian minister took the example of a terror attack in the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir in April that claimed the lives of 26 people, mostly tourists. 'It was deliberately conducted to undermine the tourism economy of Jammu and Kashmir, while sowing a religious divide,' he added. 'It is imperative that the SCO, to remain true to its founding objectives, take an uncompromising position on this challenge,' he said. The meeting was also attended by Pakistan's foreign minister Ishaq Dar. New Delhi has blamed the April attack in Kashmir on Islamabad and struck suspected terrorist targets in Pakistan-controlled territory in response in May. This led to a military exchange that ended in four days with a ceasefire. At the SCO meeting, Dar said Pakistan seeks a 'relationship of peace with all its neighbors,' according to the Pakistani Foreign Ministry. In Tianjin, Jaishankar also called on the SCO members to assist Afghanistan. 'The compulsions of regional stability are buttressed by our longstanding concern for the well-being of the Afghan people,' he said. 'The international community, particularly SCO members, must therefore step up with development assistance. India, for its part, will certainly do so.' The foreign ministers met in the Chinese city to prepare for the 25th Heads of State Council meeting, which will be held on August 31.
CTV News
7 days ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Alberta Next panel set to begin hearings on public concerns with federal government
Premier Danielle Smith's hand-picked panel hearing how to fix relations with the federal government will begin work this week with back-to-back town halls. On Tuesday, Smith and the 15 other members of the Alberta Next panel will be in Red Deer in the first stop on their tour to host some 650 residents and hear concerns with the federal government. On Wednesday, they will hear feedback in Edmonton, where 600 people have scooped up free tickets. Smith has said she believes in a sovereign Alberta within a united Canada, and that one of the reasons for the Alberta Next panel is to address the concerns inspiring more vocal separatist sentiment in the province. On her Saturday radio call-in show, Smith said that in years past, the repeal of federal policies 'took the wind right out of the sails' of separatism in Alberta. 'Ottawa really does have to listen, as I am, take it seriously and correct the things that are causing the grievances, and that's what I'm working for over the next few months,' she said. The government is dedicating time at the town hall to six main strategies it's pitching to wrest more control from the federal government, including pulling out of the Canada Pension Plan and withholding social services from some immigrants. The event will include an open question-and-answer period. In a video posted to social media in late June, Smith said the issues on the table, including taking over policing from the RCMP and tax collection from the federal government, might spark tough and emotional conversations. 'That's OK. We are Albertans, we can have hard conversations and share our ideas and opinions respectfully and stay good friends and neighbours while doing so,' she said. After her town halls wrap up in October, Smith has said the panel would recommend ideas and policy proposals for a referendum. Opposition NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi has dismissed the panel as a way for Smith to curry favour with extreme elements of her United Conservative Party to keep them from splintering off. On Monday, he announced his party's own summer event plans. Nenshi said his caucus members will be knocking on doors and hosting town halls in a tour he calls Better Together to explore ways Albertans can help build a strong future for all Canadians within a united country. He said Smith's panel will create division and pit neighbour against neighbour. 'She's scared about her grip over her own base, (and) is now playing dice with the future of the country,' he said. The government's panel includes: United Conservative Party members of the legislature; Business Council of Alberta president Adam Legge; retired judge Bruce McDonald; physician Akin Osakuade and University of Calgary economist Trevor Tombe. Stephen Buffalo, the CEO of the Indian Resource Council, also joined the panel since it was first announced last month. Nenshi said he will be shocked if none of them resign soon saying they 'don't want to be a part of this craziness.' Sam Blackett, the premier's press secretary, said in a statement Monday the premier has shown she will always put Albertans first without apology. 'The truth is, Mr. Nenshi is a lifelong Liberal who's always sided with Ottawa over Alberta,' he said. Blackett also accused Nenshi of peddling misinformation by trying to paint the premier as a separatist in an effort to 'resurrect his crumbling political party.' Pierre Poilievre, the Conservative Party of Canada Leader who is running in an Alberta byelection Aug. 18, said Monday at an unrelated news conference he disagrees with separation, but said Albertans have legitimate grievances that shouldn't be dismissed. 'I understand the frustration,' said Poilievre, who was born and raised in Calgary. 'We have to put a final end to this notion that Ottawa tells Alberta to pay up and shut up – and that's what Albertans have been told by this Liberal government for a decade," he said. By Lisa Johnson This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 14, 2025.
