Naheed Nenshi is not mincing words.
“Not only is it lies, not only is it gaslighting, it treats Albertans like they’re idiots and Albertans are not idiots,” the Alberta NDP Leader said on Friday.
The Opposition leader held a news conference to address Premier Danielle Smith’s decision to add a question to the referendum in October that could trigger another, future referendum on the province’s independence.
“The person who is driving this referendum, the person who needed to make this referendum happen is the premier,” said Nenshi.
“She pretends to be an innocent bystander. But last night the mask slipped.”
Surrounded by dozens of reporters waving Canadian flags, and flanked by former Canadian Olympian Catriona Le May Doan at a Friday morning press conference in Calgary, Nenshi accused Smith of portraying herself as being “fiercely loyal to Alberta and Canada” while at the same time he claims her first loyalty is to Alberta separatists.
“She understands that if she comes out as a full-throated separatist, she loses the election, but if she comes out as a full-throated Canadian, she loses her job as leader of the UCP — so let’s be extremely clear, the separatists got her the job as leader, they installed her as the premier.
“We always knew that she owed them something. We never knew precisely what the deal was or what she owed them, and now we know what she owed them was a referendum this fall.”
In a provincially-televised paid address Thursday evening, Smith announced she’s adding a question about Alberta’s independence to the referendum ballot that Albertans are scheduled to vote on in October.
But it is not a simple tick of a “yes” or “no” box.
Instead, Albertans will be voting on a question that asks: “Should Alberta remain a province of Canada or should the Government of Alberta commence the legal process required under the Canadian Constitution to hold a binding provincial referendum on whether or not Alberta should separate from Canada?”
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The first part of the question is taken from the “Forever Canadian” citizens petition, signed by about 400,000 Albertans asking, “Do you agree that Alberta should remain in Canada?”
The second part of the question added in an apparent attempt to appease the reported 300,000 Albertans who signed a citizen petition circulated by the separatist group “Stay Free Alberta.”
It proposed a referendum asking the question, “Do you agree that the Province of Alberta should cease to be a part of Canada to become an independent state?”
But that petition, which hasn’t been verified by Elections Alberta, was struck down by the Court of King’s Bench over its failure to consult with First Nations over how Alberta’s independence would affect treaty rights.
Smith has promised to appeal the ruling but said the process could take years. The fall referendum still gives Albertans a chance to have their say, while giving her government the direction it needs, she said.
Speaking at her own Calgary news conference on Friday afternoon, Smith said she will be voting for Alberta to remain in Canada.
She claimed she has been actively campaigning to save the country from the moment she got elected by working to resolve disputes with Ottawa over such issues as immigration, gun control, pipelines and the environment.
“We have an incredible future ahead for our country and province. We are turning the tide on the last 10 years of disastrous policy from Ottawa that held our province back, now that we have a federal government that is starting to work with us in the spirit of cooperative federalism, to undo the damage caused by the previous government,” Smith added.
Asked if her failure to address the demands of many separatists and hold a referendum with a clear-cut question on Alberta’s independence — with some now calling for her to be removed as leader of the UCP — Smith said, “This doesn’t get decided on an AGM (annual general meeting) convention floor by a few thousand delegates.”
“I would say that I’m much more interested in what Albertans as a whole have to say when you are a party leader — yes, that’s one aspect, but you also have to govern for all the people.”
Smith has maintained she supports “a sovereign Alberta within a united Canada.”
However, Calgary-based pollster Janet Brown said, “It’s been pretty clear from the beginning that the premier wanted to have a referendum on separation” because her political future depends on it.
“Our polling says that more than half of UCP supporters are also separatists. So she’s walking a delicate tightrope with her base — half of conservatives would vote for separation, half not. Now that makes it tricky for her,” said Brown.
“The other way to look at that, though, is those separatists aren’t leaving the UCP. They’re not forming their own party. So although Danielle Smith says she’s a non-separatist, she’s keeping them in the fold because she’s addressing their concerns.”
With support for Alberta’s independence consistently polling between 25 and 30 per cent amongst all Albertans, and turnout in provincial elections typically low (59.5 per cent in 2023), Brown said many are worried about a “Brexit scenario.”
“It looks like a referendum wouldn’t pass now, but if the messaging is wrong, if the separatists become inflamed, if people who are sitting on the bubble feel like they’re being unheard, and if voter turnout is not what we expect — then you could see this scenario where the separatist sentiment could approach 50 per cent.”
If that happens, it could mean Smith suffers the same fate as former British prime minister David Cameron. He was forced to resign after the United Kingdom unexpectedly voted in 2016 to leave the European Union.
A “Brexit” scenario is a concern of Alberta’s NDP leader.
“You know, there are many, many, many people across Britain who woke up the day after Brexit 10 years ago and said, ‘Oh crap, I should have voted,'” said Nenshi.
“This (referendum) wasn’t our battle. This battle was thrust upon us, but it is the battle of our lives. We will do everything we can.
“We will use every ounce of energy we have in every blood cells, in every one of our bodies saying we are Canadian and we will always be Canadian.”
Asked if she will resign if the pro-independence side wins the referendum — despite Smith claiming she’ll be campaigning for Alberta to remain in Canada — she refused to make any such commitment.
The referendum on Oct. 19 will now contain 10 questions — the new one on separatism — along with nine previously announced questions on immigration and possible changes to Canada’s Constitution.
I think Smith is doing a great job
Nenshi. A disgrace as Calgary mayor and irrelevant now.
Anonymous , your Canada will NEVER BE Conservative , its is in communist control of LIBRIAL , YES LIBRIAL , you want one country??? why ??its gone to hell when there is a vote “as we all seen last year” ,, all the seats are in Ottawa i don’t know ANYONE that voted liberal and even if they are conservative, they get paid off to cross the floor. THERE IS NOTHING FOR ALBERTA .the people should have the right for democracy ..moron!
Moron that keeps talking about elbows is fixated on “liberals” being the source of all the trump/danielle critiques. Hey pal, many of us have never voted Liberal. Knowing trump or Danielle is just out for themselves doesn’t make someone Liberal. Goof. Get over it. There are true Conservatives that know tariffs are taxes too but to you Ronald Reagan is probably a commie.
keep your comments going liberals it might look Convincing and people will be believe in a corrupt government is the best thing for them .they need high inflation no jobs , and the younger generation will never own a home ,what more is there to ask for???? elbows up!!
Suddenly Canada is concerned about Alberta, Carney proclaiming declaring that Alberta is “essential” to Canada’s future. And this is just ‘talk’ about Alberta separation. Imagine if Alberta votes for independence. Canada will go nuts trying to finally give Alberta say over their resources, change the equalization rules, probably give Alberta the proper amount of Senators based on population. A vote for independence is not a guarantee Alberta will actually leave, it is a chance for Alberta to finally get a fair deal.
I feel a BM coming on but I think I will let my backers have a referendum on it. No, wait, two referendums, one to see if we need the second.
I like her.
She makes me look honest.
Penthouse anyone?
Let’s have a third referendum on the second referendum to see if we need a referendum on the referendum.
That’s leadership UCP style.
Pay up. All this useless zhit isn’t free!
Jeremy Schultz is indeed an idiot.
Nenshi says he isn’t and he disagrees.
lolololololol
How’s Moscow “Dee?”
War going well?
No? Why are you here again?
No zhit.
Does she now think they need a referendum to see if they need a referendum on the referendum?
Why even have a premier?
She’s useless as a boob on a tractor.
And if the majority votes NO to ‘Forever Canada’, will they support the result? Or will they call the majority wrong voting “Idiots” and try some other way to get their result. Because that would show they are true socialists and only believe in democracy if it gives them what they want.
Personally, if the majority votes YES, I will support the result. At least until the federal Liberals try and ‘ream’ Alberta again.
The proper question is “Do you want to leave Canada and vacate the land?”
I’ll take it, Neshi, Albertans aren’t idiots. But so many are itching to be traitors, and their metamorphosis completes as soon as the little green men from the south begin their 3-day SMO. One that starts they are all due the punishment befitting under law.
Nenshi is the one treating us like we are idiots. My vote is to stay in Canada, but i think there was significant judicial overreach that brought us to this point. The people’s direct voices deserve to be heard.
I surely miss the days of Grant Notley. Could disagree on politics, but always a man of integrity and civility. The left now treats us to an episode of some kind of reality show. But it must work at some level.
She is done. I hope she has a backup plan for after political office.
I’m an idiot, please please please go back to your mother country where you all belong IDIOT’S
Alberta really trying to steal the entitled baby award from Quebec.
Once again Smith you and your idiots go back to your mother country, where you all belong.
Rabbit hole Trump dummies. Yeah you Kris with a K
“Surrounded by dozens of reporters waving Canadian flags”…
Do better CBC. Reporters don’t wave flags, supporters do.
Real patriots out here eh?
I will vote for separation and also love to join the US. That would be the greatest future for Alberta. I just don’t want to go with those eastern communist, it’s that simple. Any time Trump than any Ottawa politicians.
Nenshee is wrong!
The Albertans that could be idiots are ones who would vote for Nenshee and the NDP.
Governor smith undercover operative of the maga separatists movement thinks she is in the imaginary fifty first state where voters are maga dumb.
Maga
Morons
Are
Governoring
Alberta
Canada doesn’t need an anti Canadian maga Governor to get pipelines across this country , you don’t have to seperate to do that .
Only the the NDP supporters are idiots! All Nenshi can do his spout off little a little girl in the playground. Look at what he did to try and destroy Calgary!
This comes after decades of the NDP treating Albertans like idiots. Such hypocrisy from Fat Nenshi.
How ironic Nenshi accuses Danielle Smith of treating Albertans like we’re idiots! When he was Mayor of Calgary, he treated all Calgarians like we were ignorant, uneducated peons and he was so much smarter than the rest of us. His accusations and comments are halarious to say the very least.
There was nothing more irritating or sickening than to listen to his condescending, opinionated, left leaning, sniveling, squeaky little voice in Chambers and on the news, throwing one of his many tantrums!
I’m not for separatism but I sure am for the right to let the people vote and decide, rather than have another manchild tell us what is best for this Province.
You are way past your expiry date Nenshi, time to wrap it up and move on.
Let’s have the darned referendum question and show the percentage of separatist idiots that actually exist in Alberta. I’ll bet it isn’t more than 15-20%?
I thought maybe Nenshi and NDP would take the high road and campaign for Albertans to vote to stay in Canada. I was wrong again. Back to fear mongering and lies and deceit. Adding separation question on to fall vote does not equate to support. Hard for left to understand the principle of freedom to have your say. Now if you don’t agree with having the fall vote at all, then come out and say that. But to pick out questions you don’t like and want them deleted doesn’t show much integrity.
Who the f do these so called conservative scums think they are
Answering ‘yes’ supports both the federalists and the separatists. The only thing that is clear is Smith’s desire to avoid alienating either side.
After Quebec’s failed referendum the federal government passed the Clarity Act to prevent this type of ambiguity. It’s time for them to use that legislation to quash this insincere attempt to play both sides at the public’s expense.
Is it illegal to ask questions?
Funny coming from knothead nenshit the condescending 🐓🍭…
Danielle is standing up for Alberta, and Nenshi has DONE nothing for Alberta. I support the one who’s doing something over the talking ball
The purple pachyderm does not speak for me and has zero chance of ever becoming premier of Alberta!
Why not a simple question.
Do you wish Alberta to remain a part of Canada…..YES….NO
“… We are turning the tide on the last 10 years of disastrous policy from Ottawa that held our province back,…”
Thank you for making Alberta out to be a victim, the only victim, of 10 years of Trudeau’s government. Every province and territory, whether they willingly recognize it or not, has been harmed to some degree by Socks et al.
When I elected Smith, I did not vote for separation. What she represents, the people behind her, I did not vote for that. I had no intention of electing MAGA, but here we are.
I would never vote NDP, but Nenshi, criticize him all you want, as the leader of the Opposition, is simply doing his job.
Nenshi is a racist fool. After the NDP started with the just transition mantra and then wanted to go door to door asking people why they wouldn’t take the experimental mrna shot they were finished. That is only a couple of examples. Nenshi is the final nail in the coffin for the Alberta NDP.
Just take a look at the NDP convention from a few months ago.
All you need to know.
Nenshi is a worse choice. He is a total clown and was a disgrace as the mayor of Calgary.
NDP all pissed off at democracy again. Some things never change. No wonder Nenshi is polling to lose seats.
Perhaps they know well enough that she will eventually implode.
I am srarting to think they are. With all her shenanigans there should be mass gatherings at the legislature.
Does Nenshi think that the rederendum will not end the debate because the leave aide might actually win now? Or is he just talking to hear himself talk? I can never tell
Gotta disagree with Nenshi here. Most Albertans are idiots, How else could you explain Smith being ahead in polling?
Calm before the storm?
Her supporters are idiots and fall for her nonsense. The only thing she needs to say is JT name and they believe her.