Danielle Smith to speak at Alberta Day celebration as referendum nears

Premier Danielle Smith is scheduled to address an Alberta Day celebration in Calgary on Sunday, days before a provincial referendum nears. Alberta officially became a Canadian province on September 1, 1905, and festivities are planned this weekend to mark the province's birthday on Tuesday. The referendum, also known as a separation referendum, is set to take place on October 19, asking Albertans whether the province should remain in Canada or hold a binding referendum on leaving the country.

Smith, who has stated that she intends to vote for the province to stay in Canada, has received criticism from separatist leader Jeffrey Rath, who accuses her of betraying separatist United Conservative Party members and undermining the province's interests in Ottawa. Separatists have gathered outside the Edmonton legislature, arguing that Alberta would be better off without Canada after joining Confederation 121 years ago.

Meanwhile, Alberta's opposition leader Naheed Nenshi has called for the fall referendum to be postponed due to escalating trade tensions with the United States. Despite the calls for postponement, Smith has maintained her stance and reiterated her call for Albertans to vote to remain in Confederation.