NOTE: This is an older post. The updated story on Smith’s speech, as well as video of her address, can be found in this newer story.
Premier Danielle Smith will address Albertans Thursday after a whirlwind day in which two ministers announced their resignation and separatists threatened her ouster.
The 6:45 p.m. address will air as part of paid commercial time on Global News Hour at Six.
The last time Smith delivered an address was three months ago when she announced nine questions would be put to a referendum in October.
Smith did deliver a keynote address and participate in a fireside chat at the Calgary Chamber of Commerce Thursday morning, but did not address the turmoil, instead focusing on pipeline and Alberta industry issues.
Her appearances come 24 hours after a hectic day in Alberta politics.
Chaos descended upon a bipartisan legislature meeting Wednesday afternoon that was determining the fate of anti-Alberta separatism.
A committee of MLAs established to review Thomas Lukaszuk’s Forever Canadian petition recommended the province include a question for Albertans to vote on the province remaining in Canada during the Oct. 19 provincial referendum, according to a news release issued by the United Conservative Party.
The problem is: the vote to recommend did not happen.
The UCP news release was issued shortly after 3 p.m., while the Select Special Citizen Initiative Proposal Review Committee meeting was still underway and before a vote had been held — leading to confusion and chaos both inside and outside the room.
The motion was expected to pass, given the UCP members on the committee outnumber the Opposition NDP members, but it was still being debated when the UCP caucus published the premature statement.
Get daily National news
The news release said with more than 400,000 Albertans signing Lukaszuk’s Forever Canada petition, combined with the reported 301,000 who signed the Alberta Independence petition, it meant over 700,000 Albertans deserved the opportunity to have their voices heard in a referendum.
The release, which even had laudatory quotes from chair Brandon Lunty, was pulled back by the caucus about 20 minutes later.
The NDP said the premature release called into question the process and Lunty’s impartiality and called for it to be brought to the Speaker’s attention.
The United Conservatives voted against escalating the issue, but time on the meeting ran out before the vote could occur; the committee will meet again Thursday afternoon.
Many political analysts expect Smith to call a referendum on the question asked in the Forever Canadian petition – and the threats to her job are real.
“Our view is Danielle (Smith) needs to make a decision: is she going to support Mister Lukaszuk, or is she going to support her base? What we are saying is she needs to understand that if she abandons her base or betrays her base, there will likely be political consequences,” said Jeffrey Rath, lawyer for the Alberta Prosperity Project.
- Alberta’s referendum on a separation referendum elicits bewilderment, concern
- Manitoba politician calls Saskatchewan farmer who killed Colten Boushie a victim
- Should we stay or go? Albertans to vote on separatism in referendum
- B.C. man suffering reaction to COVID-19 vaccine still trying to get compensation
That is the group that said it collected more than 300,000 signatures on a citizen’s petition calling for a referendum on the province’s independence from Canada.
However, the petition, which proposed the question: “Do you agree that the province of Alberta should cease to be a part of Canada to become an independent state?” was recently rejected by the courts over a lack of consultation with First Nations.
Lukaszuk’s petition asks: “Do you agree that Alberta should remain within Canada?”
If Smith does call a referendum on the Lukaszuk’s petition, Rath said separatists will plan to oust the premier — as was done with her predecessor Jason Kenney.
To top it all off, Finance Minister Nate Horner and Hospitals Minister Matt Jones announced Wednesday they are leaving their posts.
Both said they don’t plan to run again in the October 2027 general election and, given that, it’s best to step down now and give their successors a chance to grow in the jobs.
Smith thanked the ministers for their service, saying on social media that both accomplished plenty in their respective roles.
She is expected to formally shuffle her cabinet on Thursday.
— with files from Karen Bartko, Ken MacGillivray and Adam MacVicar
Lots of morons with T D S here. They have nothing except stupid Trump/MAGA comparisons. You guys all got C’s in high school and call people like myself, boss. That’s life for you, unfortunately.
Governor smith of the separatists party of the imaginary 51 state should have her connections to the trump regime investgated
Governor smith of the separatists party of the imaginary 51 state is leader of the MAGA separatist movement.
Maga
Morons
Are
Governoring
Alberta
She needs to resign.
How is mh care invetigation coming along?
The UCP is playing us for suckers. And the worst part is that many don’t care.
The Naz1 separatists want to leave NOW Danielle 🤣🤣
Don’t make it about threats to Premeir Smith. She was elected by the people for the people. The threats should be directed to anyone trying to threaten her job. She will do what needs to be done on behalf of her co stimulants and that definitely includes their legal petition.
Nobody is worried about this referendum. Not when only 25% of Albertans support separation, & when separation would require the approval of all provinces, territories, & FNs. You couldn’t get all those people to agree that the Sun rises in the East.
well, smith’s ‘dog and pony show’ circus is as incompetent as it is corrupt. smith will now wait for someone to point the way so she can lead. Keep in mind this is a gov that wants to be an independent nation. Third world at best. Stay in school kids.
If some people in Alberta want to leave, go to the US, be happy, dont let the door hit you on the way out..separation? hard no
Yes, i’m another N azi that’s against democracy and referendum voting. Time for me to bend over now and get rammed….
Her crew should pack their wagons and cross the boarder where they came from. No land take.
Yes, I’m still too stupid and can’t spell Guevara. I’m a moron who choose to live in Calgary even though I hate this province.
I am sure JT would have arrested this traitor long time ago. Time that Carney acts.
“Do you agree that Alberta should remain within Canada?”
Nope! After 120 years of being shafted by eastern Canada, enough is enough.
Why are the Left so afraid of democracy? Worries about a little referendum question?? lol
I can’t wait for Carney and this whole dinosaur government age out. I’d like to be able to live again without every action, minute or purchase decision of my adult life being controlled by the nanny state.
TO THE MORONS WHO IN ALBERTA WHO WANT TO SEPARATE THE LAND BELONGS TO CANADA YOU DONT LIKE IT HERE YOU KNOW WHERE THE BORDER IS GET OUT OF MY COUNTRY
Well at least Danielle FIRED our helicopter firefirefighters.
Enjoy the fires.
Now she wants to appoint friends as judges. Wow.
@ anonymous: Your stupidity is showing.
N azis are rightwing dummy.
Like you.
Such an amateur.
She should borrow my red nose.
Smith is already on record saying Alberta should stay in Canada, so any Leftists calling her a sepratist is just making themselves look stupid (like some commenters below mine here). You guys also look like N azi’s, since you’re so afraid of democracy and a simple public referendum question.
Reich wingers are destroying both Canada and the entire world. #selloutsmith
I can’t wait until this dumpster fire of a government is out and Albertans can refocus on solving day to day issues and assuring responsible businesses that we are a good province to work in.
Anybody who still supports this Premier is just looking for an excuse to justify thier own failings in life. Rather than causing division, maybe pull yourself up by your boot straps. Isn’t that what conservitives always say?
Danielle (Smith) is a shame to turn a separatist to join Tramp or anybody else while enjoying All the protection and benefits of Canada.