Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is betting that a breakthrough energy agreement with Ottawa—centred on a new West Coast oil pipeline—could be the catalyst for healing a fractured relationship between the province and federal government.
In remarks aired Sunday on CTV's The West Block, Smith said finalizing the energy deal with Prime Minister Mark Carney represents a genuine shift in federal willingness to listen to Alberta's concerns, and could open the door to resolving other contentious issues.
"I hope that we'll be able to announce that we've come to an agreement very soon, and that will start paving the way to show Albertans that Canada can work," Smith said. "That's what I think we have to do. We can't just tell them—we have to actually show them."
But the premier made it clear that energy infrastructure is just the beginning of Alberta's federal wish list. She pointed to an October referendum that will ask Albertans to weigh in on immigration policy and other matters traditionally under Ottawa's jurisdiction—signalling the province's broader push for greater regional autonomy.
Beyond Pipelines: Guns, Immigration, and Regional Power
Smith also highlighted the recent Alberta independence petition, noting that its organizer is a firearms dealer frustrated with the federal gun ban and buyback program—underscoring the diverse grievances driving separatist sentiment across the province.
"We have to find a way to accommodate that Alberta sees the world a little bit differently," Smith said. "And I hope that the prime minister does that, because that will go a long way towards showing what cooperative federalism looks like in practice."
The premier's strategy reflects a broader conviction that addressing Alberta's economic concerns—particularly through energy exports and the jobs they generate—could significantly dampen the separatist impulse.
"A lot gets solved when people have a well-paying job," Smith said, adding that increased government revenues from energy projects would fund improved services. "There's no question that's a huge chunk."
Smith framed her approach as a model for a more decentralized Canada, where Ottawa respects regional differences while maintaining unity on national priorities. She suggested this framework could also ease tensions in Quebec and address frustrations in other provinces.
"I think Quebecers are just as frustrated with the attitude that has come out of Ottawa in the last 10 years," Smith said, referencing former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's tenure. "But there is a noticeable change... I have seen that the prime minister has made a genuine effort."
This report is based on statements made by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith during an interview on CTV's The West Block. For the full context and video, visit Global Calgary.