Varcoe: Don't do anything 'dumb': Using energy as weapon in trade war should be a 'non-starter,' says Smith

Alberta's Opposition Leader Naheed Nenshi has urged Premier Danielle Smith to cancel a referendum on separating from Canada, amid a trade war between the two nations. Nenshi argued that Smith's support for the vote shows weakness and suggests that Canada is not united. The referendum, set for October 19, asks whether the government should start the process to hold a future binding vote on separation.

The US has imposed import fees on $28 billion worth of Canadian goods, with Canada responding with counter-tariffs. Nenshi called for a message of unity from Canada as it resumes the trade war with the United States. Smith's office cited the thousands of citizens who signed petitions demanding the referendum, but Nenshi argued that the vote should be postponed or canceled.

This comes as Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon suggested delaying a secession referendum until the end of Donald Trump's presidency, citing the unpredictable nature of the Trump administration. Nenshi criticized Smith for potentially pandering to separatists in her United Conservative Party, contrasting with the long-standing separatism concerns in Quebec.

Meanwhile, former NDP Premier Rachel Notley and former UCP Premier Jason Kenney have co-chaired a Canadian Chamber of Commerce campaign to encourage Alberta to remain in Canada.